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Observation: Yamaha Hill

Observation Date
1/27/2024
Observer Name
Ted Scroggin
Region
Uintas » Yamaha Hill
Location Name or Route
Whitney Basin/Yamaha Hill
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
North
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Partly sunny, but mostly cloudy until mid-afternoon when a prolong period of sun came out. The north wind was quite chilly on the ridge line and the wind speeds were light and temps down in the drainage were pleasant.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
The few inches of medium density snow from Thursday did not quite fill in the old traccks, but the riding and turning conditions were very nice on both sides of the compass. The traveling is quite easy and the coverage decent, but a few fence posts are still poking their heads up.
Red Flags
Red Flags Comments
No red flags today in my travels, other than the avalanche on the north side of Yamaha Hill which is a few days old.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
I did not spend much time investigting the PWL in this area, but conditions feel like their trending towards a moderae danger where the snow pack is deeper.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
The north winds today were not moving lots of snow, but there is soft snow along the ridge lines that was getting blown around, but I did not find any sensitive fresh wind drifts.
Comments
Noticed this avalanche on Yamaha Hill yesterday afternoon from the highway as the last bit of sunshine was hitting the slope. Took a couple photos today and it looks like a natural avalanche, while the tracks are more recent. The avalanche looks a few days old as the crown is rounded and the bed surface has drifted snow on in it. This slope avalanched earlier in the season and has likely stayed shallow with facets remaining on the bed surface.
The traveling is easy right now with good supportable snow and even the "Super Wide" got around just fine today.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates