Observation: Alta Ski Area

The Alta Avalanche Office was kind enough to let me join them. This video was taken on Greely Hill. This Snowpit was on a north-facing slope at 9,600’ in elevation.

This photo was taken on the flank of an explosive-triggered slide. Jonathan noted the double crust with faceted snow surrounding the layers. These crusts are not abnormal for the early season due to the ebb and flow of the fall temperatures and one rain event from the November 15/16th storm. What is more important to note is the very weak faceted snow and the overall poor snowpack structure. The crusts, well, those are simply interesting.

This snow profile was taken on a northwest-facing slope at 10,231’. The overall depth is the most significant difference (see Snow Pilot profile below). At this elevation, wet/rain-soaked snow became less and less as the elevation helped keep the temperatures cold and the precipitation particles as snow (meaning it didn't rain here). I was surprised we didn’t see a result from our extended column test here. It’s definitely a poor structure with plenty of faceted snow below the dirt layer that likely formed due to pre-frontal winds on October 26.

Solars took on heat yesterday and today. Roller balls on mid-elevation west. Many aspects will be crusted. Out of the sunshine, the snow is dry cold powder.