Quick report
[Forecaster's Comment I was permitted to do field work today on behalf of the UAC within Snowbasin's terrain that is closed to uphill traffic.] Route was up through Porky Cirque to the Ogden Skyline Ridge. Mt. Ogden Bowl and John Paul Jones. I dug several pits and everywhere I was finding a deep and stable snowpack with no mid-pack or basal weaknesses. Snowbasin received over 2' (60 cms) of snow this past week containing over 3" of water. This heavy, dense snow was perfect "base-building" snow and has created a solid foundation.
I did find one crust (likely from a rain event on 11/8) at 8,100 with some weaker snow around the crust, but it was not faceted and several extended column tests would get poor-quality ECTN in the mid 20's. Anyone doing field work should watching for weak snow to develop where crusts are present. It seems crusts are below 8,000'
Stability tests for all pits using Dave Richard's proposed scoring system all scored an 8 out of a possible 9 points which indicates a strong and stable snowpack. You can read more about Dave's scoring system in the latest issue of The Avalanche Review (TAR).
For the time being, the snowpack is so strong I do not expect any weaknesses to develop mid-pack or down near the ground, but with cold clear weather forecast for this coming week, the snow surface will continue to weaken with near-surface faceting and surface hoar development.
Widespread wind damage in the exposed alpine, and I expect similar conditions along the exposed, upper elevation ridges and open bowls.The recent wind deposits were pencil hard and up to 10 cms (4") thick, but were unreactive to ski cuts and would only crack locally around skis.
Three different pit profiles in different terrain and elevations.
A big thank you to Snowbasin snow safety and mountain operations for permitting UAC field work within the resort boundaries. The UAC greatly values its strong partnerships with local resorts.
Snowpack
The surface is weakening with cold, clear weather, but still not all that weak. Some SH noted in lower elevations. Widespread wind affect in exposed bowls in the alpine. Recent wind drifts are 5-10 cms but unreactive and only broke out locally around skis with no propagating cracks.
Some sampled HS values:
7,250' 45 cms
8,100' 80 cms
8,700' 80 cms
8,900' 150 cms
Generally, snow depths ranged from 80-120 cms between 8,000' and 9,000'.