December 10, 2010

We didn't have too much faith in finding good skiing today, were pleasantly suprised with sheltered slopes providing good skiing. Doesn't take too much graupel to restore skiing conditions. Didn't stray too far from road today expecting the worse, but by avoiding ever present deadfall logs and stumps, it was possible to link several turns together and had a great time. Snow pack on the plateau is suprisingly strong and getting stronger due to very warm weather the last two-three weeks. See pit below




Layering evident on interval board, graupel in the middle.

Only 15 cm of new snow on interval board, and total depth at Miller Flats still at 55 cm. We found deeper snow further up the ridge in a more protected area, 82 cm.

Wind has been very busy and test slopes along Huntington Reservoir Dam would pop out 6"-8" wind slabs with a good stomp, still wouldn't run far. I imagine the more extreme terrain could produce larger results, and with a cold front on the way, tomorrow and Sunday could have some increased hazard in steep windloaded terrain.

Graupel layer down about 3"-4" down could be a player if we get alot of new snow, but the pattern does not show any significant weather in the future. Plateau may even be on the southern fringe of the incoming cold front, and just get another blast of graupel and high winds (Winds on the Wasatch Plateau???)

Otherwise, today hazard was low and do not see any significant change in that with very warm weather forecast for next week.

On summit ridges strong winds out of the southwest coupled with clouds and flat light required staying off the top and in the trees. Three weeks in a row of good skiing in late November and early December, excited for a great year!!!