Quick report
- Aspect
- Northwest
- Red Flags
- Wind Loading, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Elevation
- 3139 m
- Slope Angle
- 25°
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Wind was my biggest concern today, enough to keep me out of the alpine. Did not look like a lot of transport on the ridgetops, most of the available snow had already blown away. Some basal facets, see snow profile below.</p>
HS 20-24" in general.
Basal facets are 4-5" of 4-finger density, rounding, dry (see photo below).
Overlying snow pack grades from 2 finger upward to 4 finger.
Photo below: Basal Facets.
Photo below: In general I was able to isolate the snow pack to the ground. This is one exception on a NW aspect at about 10,000', HS is about 14" in this location. Column broke on facets. This would be a concern with additional loading.
I was surprised that the snow is holding up and staying dry considering the above freezing or near freezing temps at 10,000.
The alpine has been blown very clear of snow in many places. The area I went to ski on City Creek Peak was looking real thin.
Overall a low hazard in sub alpine areas and moderate in alpine areas where there are accumulations of wind drifted snow.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Wind slabs at or above treeline. Moderate hazard.</p> <p>Normal caution for a thin snowpack with underlying facets.</p> <p>Low danger below tree line.</p>
Dry settled powder in wind-protected areas above 9,700 (trailhead)'. Some thin crusts in sun exposed areas. Some wind crusts in places.