Utah Avalanche Center

Second snowpit was on a west facing aspect at 8510'. There were some westerly and southwesterly aspects that had a stiffer melt freeze crust up to 4" thick in places that had direct sunlight yesterday.

Winds moderate gusting to strong west-northwest. Propagation with prying after ECTX on ice pellets (old graupel) and decomposing stellars 70cm (x2) and 142cm from the surface.

Slight density changes in the top 12-16" of the snow surface that broke with no propagation during ECT tests. Snow surface was cold and dry.

Wind-loading at the ridgetops, not at the pit location. Percolation water columns at 143 with rounded crystals surrounding them. Propagation on broken stellars at 165 from ground. If this was a steeper zone or had more wind-loading propagation might have occurred earlier and would be more of a concern.