Observation: Ant Knolls

Observation Date

2/24/2025

Observer Name

Hardesty and Champion

Region

Provo » Snake Creek » Ant Knolls

Location Name or Route

Ant Knolls - Mineral Basin

Weather

Sky

Clear

Wind Direction

West

Wind Speed

Light

Weather Comments

Beautiful. Warm. Sunny day. Alta Collins ast 9600' reached 41°F at 2pm after a marginal refreeze Sunday night.

Snow Characteristics

Snow Surface Conditions

Powder

Wind Crust

Melt-Freeze Crust

Damp

Snow Characteristics Comments

Travel today was Alta Supreme and down Dry Fork, then ascending a westerly ridge to look at Saturday's very close call in the Ant Knolls. Additional info added to this report.

Sunday's warm temps and green housing damaged some low to near mid elevation northerly slopes with frozen chicken heads and a zipper crust present today in shaded terrain. Today's clear skies and rapid warmth further damaged the solars with damp powder becoming unstable by mid-morning.

The only cold snow or powder is likely isolated to true north, and shaded upper elevation slopes.

Red Flags

Recent Avalanches

Rapid Warming

Poor Snowpack Structure

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Wet Snow

Problem #1 Comments

Today's clear skies and rapid warmth led to damp powder becoming unstable by mid-morning. We noted both size 1 to size 1.5 natural wet loose and wet slab avalanches on solar aspects with push-alanches a concern in some terrain.

Larger slab avalanche below mineral basin

Avalanche Problem #2

Problem

Persistent Weak Layer

Problem #2 Comments

No time for snow profiles today. Ski and sled tracks were observed on many aspects and elevations in Dry Fork and lower Mineral Basin over the weekend without incident. However, the avalanche we investigated appeared to have failed on facets near the ground.

No wind transport was noted today, with light to moderate winds even along ridgelines. By the time we were skiing out around 4 p.m., the skies were darkening, and wind speeds seemed to be increasing. Cornices loomed large and would likely be tender with the warm temps.

Today's Observed Danger Rating

Considerable

Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating

None

Coordinates

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