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Observation: Middle Fork Weber River

Observation Date
1/14/2024
Observer Name
Dani Poirier
Region
Uintas » Upper Weber Canyon » Middle Fork Weber River
Location Name or Route
Middle Fork Weber River
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
It's been DUMPING. Our tracks from yesterday are completely filled in. I measured 20cm new since yesterday (but likely another ~10 will stack up by end of day).
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Storms continue to stress the PWL.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
8,100'
Comments
I wanted to see how much snow stacked up overnight and how it changed stability tests. I dug super close to yesterday's pit. We received 20cm of fresh since yesterday evening! I was surprised how much stronger the slab felt (1F today vs 4F yesterday). It seems too short of a time for the slab to become that much more cohesive? Perhaps there was some spacial variability at play. There seems to be collapsing both above and below the crust layer that's isolating the basal facets. Clean sheer above the crush, rougher shear below. The ECTP7 today vs yesterdays ECTP 12 tells me that the additional snow has made triggering an avalanche even more likely today (to be expected!)
Today's Observed Danger Rating
High
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High
Coordinates