Sign Up for the Utah Snow and Avalanche Workshop (USAW) on December 7th!

Observation: Murdock Peak/Bald Mt.

Observation Date
11/10/2024
Observer Name
Ryan Shea
Region
Uintas » Murdock Peak/Bald Mt.
Location Name or Route
murdoc peak Northern chutes
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
1-2cm decomposing ice crust 10 cm above the ground w facets above and below
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
some wind drifting observed in sheltered northern aspects, esp chutes. 1-2" wind skin on top in spots
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
10,800'
Comments
Toured northern side of murdoc last 2 weeks 11/4/24 then 11/10/24. Snow depths ranged from 15 cm in meadows before climb, then 30-45cm range in the middle of the northern chutes which was likely driven by wind transported snow. much of the other aspects were blown snow free or spotty snow at best.
Compression Tests last week 11/10/24 were sensitive failing at CT6-8 on ice crust 5-10 cm off the ground. from rain and/or M/F
CTs this week failed at CT13, again on that same crust from earlier October.
Other major factor and future avy contributor will be the faceting, through the entire meager snowpack. noticed faceting above and below that crust layer with that crust layer also faceting/decomposing.
I skied but its too risky w such low snow, large sharks were everywhere and only jump terms seemed to be safer for the descent to manage speed
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates