Observation: Gold Hill
Observation Date: 
02/7/2017
Observer Name: 
Ted Scroggin

Region:

  • Uintas
Location Name or Route: 
Gold Hill Basin
Weather
Sky: 
Obscured
Precipitation: 
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction: 
West
Wind Speed: 
Strong
Weather Comments: 
Windy, snowy and not overly cold for early February. Almost rain in Evanston and just barely cold enough for about 2" of wet snow at the north slope trailhead.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth: 
10"
New Snow Density: 
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions: 
Powder
Wind Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments: 
Wet snow starting at about 8,300' and turning colder and less heavy wet dense snow around 9,000'. Conditions were upside down with denser snow on top of lighter snow and lots of grauple falling throughout the day.
Red Flags
Red Flags: 
Wind Loading
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments: 
Felt like avalanche weather out today~ strong winds, snow heavy at times and rapidly changing conditions.
Avalanche Problem #1
Type: 
Wind Slab
Trend: 
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments: 
Strong gusty winds were creating "touchy" wind slabs that were breaking up to a foot deep.
Avalanche Problem #2
Type: 
Storm Slab
Trend: 
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments: 
The snow conditions were inverted today, with denser snow on top of some grauple and lighter density snow. The gusty winds continued throughout the day creating slabby snow that would break out around skis and sled.
Comments: 
1. Pretty quiet day at the trailhead. 2. Easy shears within the new snow and lots of grauple mixed in. 3. It continued to grauple most of the day and it was easy to get small grauple sluffs on steeper slopes.
Easy to trigger these "touchy" wind slabs that would break up to a foot deep. The slab was 4F hard on top and Fist hard on the bed surface. Strong gusty winds were even getting into the lower sheltered terrain.
Pretty decent riding in protected mellow terrain.
Today's Observed Danger Rating: 
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating: 
High
Snow Profile Coordinates: 
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