Observation: Thomas Fork

Observation Date
3/16/2024
Observer Name
Dave Leydet, Nate Zacharias, Eden Sloan
Region
Salt Lake » Neffs » Thomas Fork
Location Name or Route
Thomas Fork
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Rapid Warming
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
9,000'
Comments
We toured Thomas Fork with the plan to ski some of the couloirs in this zone as well as Abyss. The weather was sunny and clear, with calm winds, and steadily increasing temperatures throughout the day. The snow above 7,600' was noticeably wind affected along all aspects. This isn't surprising given the strong winds over the past couple of days. Wind pressed snow and thin (~2 cm) 1F hardness windslabs were widespread.
We dug a quick test pit on a N/NE slope at approximately 9,000'. HS - 260cm. A melt-freeze crust overlaid with graupel layer was visible at 205cm (55cm down from the top of snowpack. ECTX. Additional loading steps from the shoulder initiated a crack along this crust/graupel interface, however, there was no propagation.
We also observed several wet loose avalanches on solar aspects during the tour. The frequency of these avalanches began to increase after 10:00am.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low
Coordinates