Snowpack

Observation: Bear Trap

Hardesty and CraaybeekSalt Lake
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Quick report

Red Flags
Cracking, Collapsing, Rapid Warming, Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comment
<p>We experienced collapsing and cracking on the West Deso ridgeline. See video below.</p>

Snowpack

Instability Comment
<p>These soft slabs failing on the Jan/Feb drought PWL layer are a bit tricky and far from uniform. Slabs are 8-16" deep and failing on faceted grains either with or without a thin crust (easterly aspects). </p> <p><strong>West northwest aspects </strong>harbor a thin mf crust above a 10-20cm 4F slab. These aspects may be a bit trickier with any additional loading. Did not look at true west. Suspect stout crusts with the exception of highest elevations. </p> <p><strong>Easterly aspects</strong> harbor a thin superficial crust above the "slab". Weaknesses are found primarily above and again below a 5mm sun crust. Easterly aspects will be suspect with additional loading. </p> <p><strong>Northerly aspects </strong>- see video below. </p> <p>Warmest day yet. Superficial facets became damp on low elevation northerlies and it was easy to push-alanche damp wet facet sluffs into terrain traps. This trend should continue through tomorrow. </p>

Supportable corn on southerlies seemed to be the best game in town.  "Hot Pow" or schmoo on the mid-elevation northerlies.  Snow surfaces on northerlies aspects are faceting once again. Superficial crusts noted on northwesterlies.