Observation Date
1/20/2015
Observer Name
Ted Scroggin
Region
Uintas » Mirror Lake Highway » Bald Mtn Pass
Location Name or Route
Bald Mountain
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
A nice cool start this morning with temperatures in the teens, mostly calm winds at the trailhead and just a few high clouds.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Spent most of the day in the Bald Mt. area at upper elevations where recent winds have had their way blowing and drifting snow. There is nice settled powder in protected shady terrain, with some melt freeze crusts scattered around on the sunny aspects.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Red Flags Comments
Not a widespread red flag, but I was finding somewhat sensitive, but shallow wind slabs from recent winds. These wind slabs did not involve a lot of snow, but in continuous steep terrain they could be enough to be of concern.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
The wind slabs I was finding this morning were fairly sensitive, although shallow and by later in the afternoon they were not nearly as reactive. These fresh wind slabs were sitting on some previous weak surface snow from the weekend and were more common on north through northeast facing slopes.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
I would suspect a person could still trigger a deeper avalanche in areas like Bald Mt. where the snow pack is still thin and weak around rocks and vegetation.
Comments
It looks like some of the east facing terrain on Bald Mt. went through a mini avalanche cycle from strong winds that started on Friday, leaving some decent piles of debris.
This morning I was finding somewhat sensitive, but shallow wind slabs on north and northeast facing slopes. This small safe test slope is a good location to stomp around and see what the snow pack is doing before getting into the steeper terrain in this area. I was able to get a small piece of the slope to slide giving me some good information.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
