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Observation: Moffit Peak

Observation Date
1/21/2024
Observer Name
Staples, Richards, and Summit Co SAR
Region
Uintas » Moffit Peak
Location Name or Route
Moffit Peak & Double HIll
Weather
Weather Comments
Cloudy skies, calm winds, warm temps, and spitting occasional snowflakes
Red Flags
Red Flags
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
The snow structure is the obvious red flag, but it isn't obvious until you pull out your shovel. Collapsing was a little harder to find today, and seemed to happen more as I rode near stumps and buried logs which tells me that shallow areas could be the key to triggering slides now.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
The December drought layer of facets that was buried on January 4th is the main player. It's very obvious in a snowpit wall.
It is buried about 3 feet deep, and about half of that is 1 finger hardness slab.
This layer will heal eventually but it will happen very slowly.
Snow Profile
Aspect
East
Elevation
9,600'
Slope Angle
23°
Comments
Feels like things are getting more stubborn. Recent avalanches and collapsing tells me that it's not stubborn enough to trust my life. Not nearly close to that, but it tells me that things are moving in the right direction. I think we have gotten past the peak instability and avalnache activity (UNLESS we get another big storm with inches of water).
Third photo shows how the snowpack is keeping a sled above the December faceted layer.
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates