Quick report
- Aspect
- Southwest
- Red Flags
- Recent Avalanches, Wind Loading, Cracking, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Elevation
- 3414 m
- Slope Angle
- 25°
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>2 recent avalanches were observed photos below, both looked like cornice falls. East winds were blowing all day and loading in what I imagine are unusual areas. Cracking was generally localized and not shooting. Basal facets exist in typical northerly aspects as well as some south aspects above 11,000', see pit profile below.</p>
Of note in the above pit profile is shovel shears in the basal facets and above a 5mm knife hard crust mid pack, ECTN with a lot of weight applied at end. I dug the pit at this location to look for facets at upper elevation south aspects, not disappointed!
Photo of facets below, remember this is on a south aspect.....I am use to seeing this in Canada not Utah, time to get used to a new area!
Photos of two recent avalanches below.
North aspects on Lake Peak consist of basal facets below a supportable 2 finger slab capped with 5" of low density snow. The low density snow may not support much of a load if the storms predicted for next week come through as predicted. This would be the initial primary hazard.
Sleds were still bogging down a bit into the basal facets
Overall a Moderate hazard, I did nor see anything alarming in any of the areas traveled today
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Wind slabs were my biggest concern today, generally localized with a moderate hazard. The thing to remember about east winds is that they can surprise us with wind slabs in typically sheltered as well as odd areas.</p> <p>The basal facets are still sitting above the ground, I think the overlaying slab is bridging and gaining strength.</p> <p>Moderate hazard with the potential for serious consequences.</p>
5" new in sheltered areas, low density stellers.
Exposed areas at tree line and in the alpine were a mixed bag of wind crust, drifts, slabs and scoured areas.