Quick report
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>The red flags were not flying high and there were no recent signs of instability. However, we still decided to have a look around in the snowpack to determine the status of the basal facets.</p>
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>As stated in the UAC bulletin the morning of the 6th, the low probability/high consequence scenario of a deep slab avalanche is still lingering in our minds. The overall depth of the snowpack averages 90cm-100cm in the mid elevations of upper LCC, so the basal facets are becoming buried a bit deeper with each passing short wave storm. My partner and I decided to have a look into the snowpack to see the status of the basal facets and the midpack slab. On the west facing slopes just below Twin Lakes Pass we found a sheltered small area that served our purpose. The new snow had bonded fairly well to the old surface but still exhibited CTE Q2 RP down 8cm. Not an issue. The mid pack slab is 1F+ and it all rests atop what appear to be strengthening basal facets that have become somewhat damp. CTN on these facets given the 75-90cm of overriding slab protecting them. I'd still tread lightly in areas that have not slid on the Northern half of the compass. Ended up skiing a low angle south that sported soft turns and kept us entertained. Expected to find some windslab in our area, but it was quite peaceful on the ridges. Good skiing can still be found around the Central Wasatch without pushing into radical terrain. As the venerable Monty Atwater once said about depth hoar/basal facets - "No snowpack can be trusted which has that wicked stuff in its base." </p>
Snow was higher density and bonded well to the old snow surface, which was a mixed bag of settled powder, sustrugi, and melt freeze. On low angle slopes, the skiing was quite improved since the days prior.