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Observation: Upper Weber Canyon

Observation Date
12/22/2016
Observer Name
jg
Region
Uintas » Upper Weber Canyon
Location Name or Route
Upper Weber Canyon
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
South
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Temps in the low 20's at 10K. No wind to speak of where we were traveling.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
1"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments

Supportable conditions are making sled and ski travel easy.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
I've seen worse snowpack structure but this was the only red flag in the area traveled today.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

I've been finding several weak interfaces in the upper 30cm (12") of the pack in my travels over the last couple of weeks. Column tests reflect medium effort to fail with Q2 and Q3 shears. No propagation on ECT tests. These layers will be something to watch with added the added water weight of the next storm though.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
10,100'
Slope Angle
29°
Comments

Recent avalanche on a 40°+, east facing slope around 10,100.

Traveled the north half of the compass from 7400-10,300. Although I was finding a generally stable snowpack today, the surface snow was sluffing on steeper slopes due to a weakening snow surface. This and the presence of buried persistent weak layers will be something to keep in mind with the upcoming storm. Also of note were instabilities I found at the ground due to large grain basal facets (photo of facets on a 3mm grid). With medium to hard effort I did get CT's and ECT's to fail at the ground. Deep slab instabilities are not out of the question.

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