Observation: Horse Creek

Observation Date

1/9/2026

Observer Name

Charlie Ramser

Region

Moab » Horse Creek

Location Name or Route

Horse Creek, Pinto Glades

Weather

Sky

Clear

Wind Direction

Northeast

Wind Speed

Moderate

Weather Comments

We were pretty sheltered from the wind today. However we still saw signs of the strong NE winds today.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth

New Snow Density

Low

Snow Surface Conditions

Powder

Snow Characteristics Comments

Snow surface and skinning was great. We did feel the crust beneath the new snow when making turns downhill more than anticipated. Fun skiing nonetheless. Three cheers for supportable! Hip hip hooray!

Red Flags

Wind Loading

Collapsing

Poor Snowpack Structure

Red Flags Comments

We caused at least three collapses in the snowpack on our skin up today on S-SW aspects.

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Wind Drifted Snow

Trend

Same

Problem #1 Comments

Snow surface that we traveled on hadn't been too affected yet. This area was pretty sheltered from winds overnight but with more wind blowing and transporting snow I'd expect the snow surface is becoming affected in areas like this.

Avalanche Problem #2

Problem

Persistent Weak Layer

Problem #2 Comments

Facets and crusts. The bridge the rain crust is providing is interesting. Makes for a seemingly less rotten snowpack for this time of year compared to normal, but maybe just more stubborn and tricky as time moves on.

Comments

HS 73

ECTP 4, 51cm from the ground. Just above this failure was a 5cm thick wind crust, which had the recent snow on top of it. I was surprised by this failure, I was focused on the December rain crust and facet chains beneath it. But the smaller grain facets with a wind slab and recent loads looked like the biggest culprit at our aspect and elevation.

I haven't been in the range this season aside from today, this sensitivity seems a bit isolated, but would nudge into considerable danger rating if it were more widespread.

Today's Observed Danger Rating

Moderate

Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating

Moderate

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