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Observation: Duchesne Ridge

Observation Date
12/9/2024
Observer Name
Nassetta
Region
Uintas » Duchesne Ridge
Location Name or Route
Campbell Hollow
Weather
Sky
Broken
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
A light breeze accompanied mild temps at the trailhead at 8,000'. A quick gain in elevation and conditions were winter-like with chili temps and a biting wind. Broken skies paired with flurries (S-1) made for decent visibility and travel.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
1"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
A quick inch of snow and quite a bit of wind helped to freshen up the landscape. Covered by a thin coat, snow surfaces vary with a quick change in elevation, or jumping aspect from polar to solar. Doing so reveals crusts, faceted snow, fresh wind drifts, dirt, rocks and more! Though it is still very thin out there, the recent small dose of snow and wind has surely improved travel and riding conditions, while not contributing the the overall avalanche hazard.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Normal Caution
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
What I'm sure of is that there is plenty of weak snow near the ground, on the surface, and throughout the snowpack on mid and upper-elevation slopes with a northerly component... When we see the next significant snowfall I am going to be backing off of terrain I am riding now, and switching aspects, dialing back slope angles and avoiding the PWL when it comes to life.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Slope Angle
14°
Comments
Today's fresh drifts were soft and not reactive to the additional weight of me or my sled. I noted them on upper elevation leeward slopes specific to the east half of the compass.
Looking west toward the Wasatch as snow blows and carves the surface creating fresh drifts and textured surfaces.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low