Observation: Whitney Basin

Observation Date

1/2/2024

Observer Name

Ted Scroggin

Region

Uintas » Whitney Basin

Location Name or Route

Whitney Basin-Double Hill

Weather

Sky

Clear

Wind Direction

South

Wind Speed

Light

Weather Comments

Mostly clear skies, just a few clouds off in the distance to the south. The winds stayed mostly calm to light with a slight bump in wind speeds from the south early afternoon. Temperatures were pleasant even up on the ridge tops.

Snow Characteristics

Snow Surface Conditions

Faceted Loose

Wind Crust

Snow Characteristics Comments

Seemed like there was no shortage of weak faceted snow on the surface all around the compass. Generally the snow pack seems to be holding up, but there are those shallow places around bushes and terrain features that felt punchy with bottomless weak sugary snow.

Red Flags

Red Flags Comments

No red flags today where I traveled.

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Normal Caution

Trend

Same

Comments

This snow pit on a northeast facing slope on the north end of Double Hill had no propagation with an ECT test. The column of snow just mushed down after several hard hits from the shoulder. It felt like the snow pack had no energy at this location. Seems like the slab that is in the middle of the snow pack has gotten less slab like.

Even on the ridge lines the weak faceted snow on the surface has developed with the calm mild weather.

The snow around bushes and depressions is quite punchy and unsupportable and has some of the weakest snow I found.

Hope the storms that are forecasted this week deliver and improve the overall snow conditions. It is still very thin down around the trail head.

Today's Observed Danger Rating

Low

Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating

Low

Coordinates

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