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Observation: Ogden

Observation Date
1/27/2017
Observer Name
Craig O.
Region
Ogden
Location Name or Route
Powder Mtn Backcountry
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
North
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Clear sky with cold temps especially on the ridges where the North wind was blowing ranging from 10 to 20 mph.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments

Skiing was good. The surface was mostly a dense wind blown powder that skied well. Giant wind drifts were most prominent on the South, SE, and West aspects. Only minor cracking on one west facing wind drift with no energy.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
Could see a few old avalanches from the storm cycle that were now mostly buried. One appeared to be at lower elevations NE facing. Wind was moving enough snow to fill in the uptrack near the ridges.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

Dug two pits. One at 8600' NW ECTX. 2nd one at 7600' SE. This started as a hand pit and found an ice crust about 30" down that needed further investigation. ECTP16 RP@18" from surface. NO reaction with ice crust. Unsure what the weak layer was, but the results were enough for me to move to a different less exposed area. This may become more reactive with heating over the next few days. With all of the new snow we still kept our slope angles to 30 deg. for the day.

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

Ski cut some steep roll over test slopes and could still get the top few in inches to sluff off, could be a hazard in continuously steep terrain in gullies or above cliffs.

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