Quick report
- Red Flags
- Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Poor structure, with a 10-15 cm (4-6 inch) layer of damp facets down near the ground. I only made it to 8,300 feet, but I suspect higher elevations have dry facets from November snow down near the ground.</p>
Travel today was up to 8,300 feet where the dense snow from this past weekend provided supportable travel conditions, although most of the time I was looking upwards to the coverage in upper-elevation starting zones where there is now enough snow on W/N/E aspects that will weaken with the upcoming prolonged high pressure.
Photos:
- Bob's Knob
- Cascade Mountain
- Big Provo Cirque
- South end of Timpanogos
Low danger where I was traveling (below 8k) but with a PWL present, the danger is higher once you get closer to 9k.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>The snowpack was unreactive where I was looking on northerly aspects just above 8,000 feet, with ECTX (no fracture). </p>
Snow depths below 8,000 feet are 15-30 cms (6-12 inches) on the shady slopes, with southerly-facing slopes completely bare. I only made it to 8,300 feet, but once you get above 8,000 feet, snow depths are up to 45 cms, especially in wind-loaded areas.