Snowpack

Observation: Smith-Moorehouse

Patrick FinkUintas
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Quick report

Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure

A surprising warm day today in a generally shady valley. Slight solar crusts are widespread, but spare N-NE aspects. W-aspects are nearly a supportable crust. Riding conditions were good in shady, low angle northerlies, where settled and recrystalizing powder made for fast and fun skiing.

Snowpack

Instability Comment
<p>TS ~120 on North facing slopes, w/20-25 cm of rounding facets above the ground. Stubborn shears with subjective shovel shear testing, producing broken planar fractures. Low probability given depth and lack of energy in the snowpack, but high consequence. Settlement cones on all aspects are consistent with a gradually settling and stabilizing pack, as is the somewhat cohesive nature of the basal facet layer (fist). New/old snow interface is visible in pits but well-bonded.</p> <p>Growing quite warm on solar aspects at 8000-9000' today, rollerballs on West and South aspects. </p>