Snowpack

Observation: Mt Watson

Michael JanulaitisUintas
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Wind Loading

What a great day today in the Western Uintas. The upper elevations had dry snow, wind loading was limited and the sun was out. The east face of Mt. Watson was void of any wind loading and the cornices on top were some of the smallest I've ever seen this time of year. Very easy entrance. I was able to sluff out my first line prior to skiing it with a small cornice drop. I was a little bummed but it was a good test to see how fast the snow was going to run. The sluff ran slow enough that it was manageable. While on top I looked around for other slides in the distance but only saw minor sluffs, no fractures.

Snowpack

Instability Comment
<p>My primary concern was wind slabs. I typically boot up the south face of Mt. Watson to ski, but not today. It was wind loaded on top of very good coverage. I kept my distance. Wet slabs did not concern me today as the new snow was still very dry and the temperature was relatively cold.</p>