Quick report
- Red Flags
- Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>The layer of facets at the ground from November snow is shallow - at most 15 cms (6 inches) and was moist everywhere we looked, but we were still able to get full propagation with extended column tests, and one collapse on a wind-loaded slope. More on this below.</p>
Most everywhere we traveled in the backcountry adjacent to Powder Mountain had a Low danger with shallow coverage, but there are isolated areas that have a deeper snowpack due to wind-drifting that had a Moderate danger where the slab is stronger and the facets weaker. Looking across the Ogden Valley, Ben Lomond and Willard Peak have what seems a deeper snowpack, so the danger may be Moderate and more wide-spread.
We're not used to this kind of weather and snowpack structure in December, with a shallow, faceted snowpack that is damp/moist. With warm temperatures forecast for the next several days, it is possible we could have wet snow issues that gouge down to the faceted layer at the ground.
Photos of
- Ogden Skyline between Ben Lomond and Willard Peak
- Pit at 9,450 on NE aspect with full propagation
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>The shallow faceted down near the ground is loose, but damp. Full propagation with an extended column test which failed at this layer initially, on ECTP3, and then ECTP8 and ECTP11. </p>
There is generally 15-30 cms (6-12 inches) of coverage above 8,500 feet, with up to ~45 cms (18 inches) in wind-drifted areas. Snowpack is moist from top to bottom.