Snowpack

Observation: Dean Lake

UAC-Backcountry Inst.-Utah SnowmobileUintas
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Observation photo 1

Quick report

Aspect
South
Red Flags
Wind Loading, Cracking, Rapid Warming
Elevation
3048 m
Slope Angle
21°

The south facing slopes are littered with ice crust layers, dense snow and facets. The most concerning layer is the new snow on old crust.

Snowpack

Instability Comment
<p>Howling winds have created wind drifted (wind loading) snow over most of the area. We did discover via a test pit and a shovel tilt test that the new snow and old snow interface could be reactive to a trigger creating avalanches on wind loaded steep terrain. See viddy below.</p>

New snow totals was roughly 6 to 10".  In exposed areas a wind crust had formed with lots of drifting around trees and rocks. In sheltered south and west facing areas the snow was loose, deeper and the riding was favorable.