Bollettino valanghe

Uintas

Utah Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

  • Alta quota
  • Limite del bosco
  • Sotto il limite del bosco
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Non aggiornato — questo bollettino è scaduto 8 years ago. Stai vedendo condizioni passate, non il bollettino in corso.

In sintesi

While most terrain offers LOW avalanche danger, at and above treeline, in the wind zone, the avalanche danger is MODERATE. Human triggered avalanches are possible in steep, wind drifted terrain, especially on slopes facing the north half of the compass and particularly on those with an easterly component to their aspect. In addition, while becoming harder to initiate, human triggered avalanches breaking into deeper, buried weak layers is a distinct possibility, particularly on any steep slope harboring old snow near the ground. Remember- triggering a slide that breaks to old snow will immediately ruin your day.

Lose a little elevation or swing around to slopes with no old snow near the ground and the avalanche danger drops dramatically.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    2

    Since the weekend, winds have been all over the place, cranking into the 50's and 60's, and finding whatever loose snow there is left available to blow around and form dense pieces of wind drifted snow on the leeward side of upper elevation ridges and cross-load terrain features like chutes and gullies. Today, I think you'll find most of these pretty lifeless and not very well connected, but as always, don't let your guard down. Be on the lookout for and avoid any fat, rounded piece of snow especially if it sounds hollow like a drum.

    Ted and I were on opposite sides of the range yesterday, but we both found similar snow characteristics. Pockety and not very connected, recent wind drifts weren't very reactive to our additional weight.

    This setup could change with a little snow and wind on tap today.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Unlikely
    Dimensione
    3

    Recent snowpit stability tests combined with the lack of avalanche activity suggests the pack feels pretty comfortable in its own skin... and that's good news. However, the Uinta's are a big range and there's lots of variables when it comes to snowpack depth and strength. Remember- "persistent weak layers" in the snowpack are a headache because they remain problem children for long periods of time. And all we need to do is find one weakness, maybe around a bush or rock that we can't see buried underneath the snow, collapse the pack, and now we're getting worked by a moving piece of snow. The usual suspect terrain comes to mind- steep, rocky slopes with a shallow snowpack. So the way I'm avoiding this scenario is by simply avoiding the terrain where this setup exists.... mid and upper elevation, north facing slopes that harbor weak, early season snow near the ground.

    Obviously obliging to my partners request... "make the funniest snowpack evaluation face you can" ... OK here ya go :)

    Snow structure in Gold Basin pictured above.

Special Announcement

Check out the new free online avalanche course series developed by the Utah Avalanche Center. This is a great way to refresh your skills or prepare you for a Backcountry 101 or Level 1 class.

Recent Activity

No significant avalanche activity to report.

Snow and Weather

Clouds began filtering into the region overnight as a quick hitting storm slides onto our door step this morning. Temperatures are mild and in the mid 20's. Southerly winds increased right around midnight and are blowing in the 20's and 30's along the high peaks. Riding and turning conditions are hit or miss. While much of our big, open terrain is wind damaged, with a little bit of searching, you'll find soft settled snow on wind sheltered slopes.

Above is recent hourly data from Trial Lake (9,945') along with wind data from Windy Peak (10,662'). To view more regional weather stations click here.

Plowing is done on Mirror Lake Highway, but Wolf Creek Pass is still open. The steep slopes surrounding the pass are getting hammered... ridden hard and without incident. However, just 'cause you can see your rig parked near Wolf Creek, doesn't mean the terrain you're choosing to ride is good to go. Remember- if you are getting out and about, be prepared for your own self rescue. Wear and know how to use an avalanche beacon, shovel, and probe.

Ted was in the Double Hill environs Wednesday and found good riding, but coverage is still a bit thin. More on his travels here.

Additional Info

A pair of fast moving storms brings light snow to the area through Saturday morning. Look for snow showers this morning and again late with a couple inches stacking up in the next 24 hours. Today's high temperatures reach into the 30's with overnight lows in the teens. Southwest winds bump into the 30's with a few gusts in the 50's along the high peaks. Unsettled weather continues for the upcoming week. Nothing huge, but enough for a fresh coat of white paint. The graphic above sets the stage for the upcoming holiday.

General Announcements

The information in this advisory expires 24 hours after the date and time posted, but will be updated by 7:00 AM Saturday December 22nd, 2018.

If you're getting out and about, please let me know what you're seeing especially if you see or trigger and avalanche. I can be reached at [email protected] or 801-231-2170

It's also a good time to set up one of our very popular avalanche awareness classes. Reach out to me and I'll make it happen.

This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. This advisory is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.

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