Observation Date
12/1/2024
Observer Name
Meisenheimer
Region
Provo » American Fork » Tibble Fork
Location Name or Route
Tibble Fork to Major Evans
Weather
Sky
Clear
Weather Comments
It was a beautiful day with clear, sunny skies and zero wind.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
10"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
I didn't note any of the classic signs of unstable snow. However, there is weak snow anywhere it's shady, and once we receive water weight, we will have plenty of avalanches.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #1 Comments
Drew Hardesty and company went to Big Springs, where the avalanche activity seemed to be the epicenter for this past storm. In the terrain I traveled, it seems like the Wasatch Back did not receive the same amount of water and wind as Cascade Ridge. This area also has much more rocky terrain than smooth wildflower bowls like Cascade. I did not see any natural avalanche activity from Box Elder to the SLC twins.
However, there is weak faceted snow on all shady aspects at the mid-and upper elevations, and I think caution is advised in steep terrain where a slab could be found.
Snow Profile Comments
I dug on an east-facing slope at 10,000' and found the same poor snowpack structure that most of the Wasatch Range is now plagued with (see picture). The bottom 30 cm of our snowpack is absolute garbage. Unfortunately, the overall snow depths back here are closer to 30-45 cm and will likely wholly facet out with our current streak of high pressure.
I wanted to get up high in the mountains to look around. From here, I will dump a bunch of photos to show coverage.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates
