Snowpack

Observation: Moab

Chris BolosMoab
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Quick report

Aspect
Southwest
Red Flags
Cracking, Collapsing, Poor Snowpack Structure
Elevation
3170 m
Slope Angle
26°
Red Flags Comment
<p>I skied up from the meadow at the end of the Gold Basin Road into the trees and found minor collapsing and cracking in several spots. As I got higher up, the angle steepened and the collapsing was more widespread. </p>

Snowpack

Instability Comment
<p>I dug a pit near the bottom of Julie's where the run cuts right into the trees. Slope angle was 26*. Snow depth was around 45cm to 50cm. There were some weak layers mid pack, and the basal facets were alive and well, unfortunately. I did a CT with failure at the ground facets at CT25. I ventured out onto the slope about 15 feet from the pit and experienced a pretty widespread collapse. </p> <p> I know there is a wind slab at higher elevations but did not encounter it because I was at lower elevations that are wind sheltered and below treeline.</p>

3 to 6 inches of new snow fell early Friday morning. On sunny SW slopes the new snow appeared to be bonding well to the existing snowpack.