Observation: Navajo Point

Observation Date

2/9/2024

Observer Name

Ian Dempsey

Region

Southwest » Brian Head Backcountry » Navajo Point

Location Name or Route

Navajo Point

Weather

Sky

Overcast

Precipitation

Light Snowfall

Wind Speed

Calm

Weather Comments

Cold temps in the teens and light to moderate snow.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth

10"

New Snow Density

Low

Snow Surface Conditions

Powder

Snow Characteristics Comments

This area received about 30 inches of new snow in the last 3 days. This recent snow is right side up and travel is relatively easy despite the quantity of the new snow.

Red Flags

Heavy Snowfall

Wind Loading

Poor Snowpack Structure

Red Flags Comments

Without the cracking and collapsing we had 2-3 weeks ago, we have a false sense of security out there. The heavy load of new snow (looks like about 2" SWE), recent wind loading, and poor structure are reason to be cautious.

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

New Snow

Trend

Decreasing Danger

Problem #1 Comments

About 30" in the Brian Head area since Tuesday. Forecast to get another 1-2" tonight before things quiet down. No new snow avalanches were witnessed. No cracking or collapsing were witnessed. The only instability witnessed in these new snow layers was in my compression test. However, this is a single snow pit and a single observation. I'm not sure how the new snow is behaving in other areas.

Avalanche Problem #2

Problem

Persistent Weak Layer

Trend

Same

Problem #2 Comments

It's still out there. I'm reading from others more experienced than myself that it is healing but that it will take more time. Things seem more stable because we don't have any of the obvious red flags associated with this layer, but it's a 'sleeper'. In other words, hit it in the right spot and I expect it to fail in a big way.

Snow Profile

Aspect

North

Elevation

10,500'

Slope Angle

25°