Quick report
- Red Flags
- Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Pole probing along travels still indicate a weak lower snowpack among Northerly terrain above 9000ft, however the resistance felt when probing has increased dramatically in the past week within this specific zone. Our seasonally poor structure is trending more consistent from the ground up, with the crusts near surface and Late Feb-Early March settled snow below offering a great deal of support above our weaker snow for all modes of travel. </p>
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Did not observe fresh wind slabs formation given the lack of snow from this dry cold front within the Wolf Creek pass area. Textured areas indicating prior wind slab formation did not crack underfoot, behaved unreactive to skier input and appears to have bonded well in recent days. </p> <p>Little new information to add to this problem given the area I traveled today. No recent avalanche activity observed in the zone — the Duchesne Ridge avalanche from 3/8 remains an exception — and frequent snowmobile traffic has covered many of the northerly-facing pockets where this weak layer has persisted. The old weak snow continues to show signs of strengthening and is well-supported by recent storm snow and firm upper surface crust(s).</p>
Snow surfaces were generally sun-affected from previous days heat and warm up. Supportable crusts were found on most aspects and elevations within the Wolf Creek Pass area. Terrain surrounding the pass has been tracked out extensively. Sheltered North's still held relatively soft snow atop said crust, before runouts at and below 9200ft became challenging/firm. New snow from 1-5pm ranging between trace to 1".