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Observation: North Ridge of Tukunikuvatz

Observation Date
2/7/2015
Observer Name
Trenbeath
Region
Moab » Gold Basin » North Ridge of Tukunikuvatz
Location Name or Route
North ridge Tukunikivatz -Middle Cirque
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Breezy at upper elevations, 15-25 mph. Sunny skies at times alternating with periods of clouds. High temps at 10,000' in mid 40's by mid afternoon.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

Continued mixed bag of snow surfaces but wind crusts are breaking down on exposed high alpine northerly aspects making for some pretty good re-crystallized snow with generally improved turning conditions. Snowpack is very thin. Many of the upper elevation north faces are scoured down to the rocks in places, and south faces are showing bare ground. Snow cover in upper elevation sheltered areas averages 30-36".

Decent turning conditions on upper elevation re-crystallized snow. NE face of Tukunikivatz.

Looking down the SW facing colouir "Tuklear Reaction" from the summit of Tukunikivatz.

Looking down the N Face of Tukunikivatz from the summit.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
The snowpack is currently weak but mostly stable. On shady slopes out of the wind zone the entire snowpack is turning into loose facets. In loaded areas the snowpack is more complex with depth hoar at the ground, a mid pack layer of facets just beneath the Decemeber storm cycle, and a layer of buried surface hoar 6-8" below the surface. Clouds and wind kept the snow surface cool until midafternoon afterwhich the snow began to get wet on sun exposed slopes. In spite of near record temperatures over the past 4 days, no wet slide activity has been observed.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

This danger has largely abated for the time being but will certainly re-activate if and when we receive more snow. There still may be places in areas of extreme terrain where it will be possible to trigger a persistent slab.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments

The warm temperatures warrant an awareness of this type of avalanche on sun exposed slopes later in the day but as of yet, wet slide activity has not been a problem.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low