Quick report
- Aspect
- Northwest
- Red Flags
- Poor Snowpack Structure
- Elevation
- 2835 m
- Slope Angle
- 30°
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Since we were in the known red flag zones for poor snowpack structure, we were not surprised to find similar results to our last 2 pits (Summit Park - http://utahavalanchecenter.org/observations/observation-summit-park and Alexander Basin - http://utahavalanchecenter.org/avalanches/accident-depth-hoar-bowl). </p>
This was the same location we put a pit in on 31-December: http://utahavalanchecenter.org/observations/observation-box-canyon. In comparing these results,
- The depth hoar has increased significantly
- The multiple crusts from 31-Dec have somewhat consolidated.
- The overall snow depth has only increase 20 cm.
The first 2 photos below show the very large surface hoar crystals we observed. The 3rd photo was very interesting to us. As we were breaking trail we quickly noticed a very distinct change in the feeling of the snow. Upon evaluation, we noticed a hard layer (maybe a vapor layer) beneath the large surface hoar crystals. The photo did not turn out very well, but if you look closely you can see the surfac hoar, then a 2-3mm layer, then the last storm snow beneath it.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>The persistent weak layer (surface hoar buried beneath a hard wind slab with the last storm snow on top of it) showed to be very similar to what we have seen in other mid elevation areas. I would expect this to be an issue on slopes similar to this until it is buried by 1 or 2 more storms and has bridged. </p> <p>Note our pit was in a safe location, buy we did not ski this slope based on the results.</p>
Amazingly large surface hoar crystals in the shaded and low areas (see photos below). Based on this surface hoar, I would expect that our next snow fall will give us a similar result to what we had with the last storm where we had a lot of slides on the buried surface hoar layer. Maybe we will be lucky enough not to have the next storm put a wind slab on top of the surface hoar.