Obs-Snow Profile: Broads Fork 2/18/2011

Observer Name:

Budge, Wilcox

Observation Date:

02/18/2011

Region:

Salt Lake
Big Cottonwood Canyon
Broads Fork

Location or Route:

Broads Fork

Weather

Sky:

Overcast

Wind Direction:

West

Wind Speed:

Moderate

Weather Comments:

No precip. Warm day with intermittent moderate gusts with mild visible transport.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth:

New Snow Density:

Medium

Snow Surface Conditions:

Powder

Dense Loose

Wind Crust

Snow Characteristic Comments:

Variable snow, wind pressed up high in exposed terrain, creamy in protected zones.

Red Flags

Red Flag Comments:

Minimal collapsing on ridgetop pillows where expected. None off high ridgelines.

Primary Concern

Primary Concern:

Wind Slabs

Probability:

Low

Aspect:

North

Northeast

East

Southeast

Elevation:

High

Trend:

Less Dangerous

Primary Concern Comments:

Found mostly low danger up to mid-elevation ridges. Could be higher danger elsewhere. Stairs was skied without incident by an expert touring party. Most concerning danger would probably be sluffs and shallow wind slabs in the steepest terrain. MLK crust is softening and exposed on the surface in windward areas and up to two feet deep in more sheltered terrain. Expect situation to change Saturday afternoon.

Elevation:

8500'

Aspect:

East

Slope Angle:

snow_profile_location:

United States

40° 36' 50.1948" N, 111° 43' 31.1304" W

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 1)

Shovel tilt easy failing with 2 taps at graupel layer.

Video 1:

Observed Danger Rating:

Low

Forecast Danger Rating:

Low

Snow Profile Location

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