Observation: Devils Castle
Observation Date: 
04/20/2017
Observer Name: 
John Mletschnig

Region:

  • Salt Lake
Location Name or Route: 
Devil's Castle, Albion Basin
Weather
Sky: 
Scattered
Precipitation: 
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Wind Speed: 
Light
Weather Comments: 
The morning was mild with a few clouds and light winds; nice. Snow started coming in around 1130 and we departed.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions: 
Powder
Faceted Loose
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments: 

Prior to the new snow, which came in mid-day, the snow surface was largely damaged by the sun from yesterday. Exceptions which hung on were on north and east above 10,000' >30 degrees. Underneath the recently deposited 5'' or so of surface snow a quite scratchy melt-freeze layer is now present up to at least 10,500'. With reasonably cool temperatures overnight the surface snow has faceted some, likely through a melt layer recrystalization, near-surface faceting process in sheltered areas and made for slippery skinning.

No instabilities were observed in the existing snow. Travel included an ascent of East Devils Castle then skiing off ridge level into the Devils Castle/Castle Apron areas from the Albion Base Area. Focus will be on how much and how fast it snows with how much wind in the current snow event and how it all bonds to existing snow surfaces.

Red Flags
Red Flags Comments: 
No red flags were observed.
Today's Observed Danger Rating: 
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating: 
Moderate
Snow Profile Coordinates: 
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