Obs-Snow Profile: Argenta 1/25/2011

Observer Name:

Quino Gonzalez

Region:

Salt Lake
Big Cottonwood Canyon
Argenta

Observation Date:

01/25/2011

Location or Route:

Kessler Peak, West Couloir

Weather

Sky:

Overcast

Precipitation:

Light Snowfall

Wind Direction:

Northwest

Wind Speed:

Moderate

Weather Comments:

We skied the West Couloir from the top of Kessler Peak. We didn't find significant wind loaded snow and the wind was moderate. Ta was around -5 C and precipitation went from S2 at 0900 to S-1 at 1200. We observed 4 inches of new snow on top of the snow from Saturday's storm.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth:

New Snow Density:

Medium

Snow Surface Conditions:

Dense Loose

Snow Characteristic Comments:

We only found a few scattered exposed icy spots this time, mostly on the ridges. Skiing the west face of Kessler we noticed a thin crust that may be a wind or sun crust but did not hit the rain crust at any time.

Red Flags

Collapsing

Red Flag Comments:

We didn't see any collapsing on the west face but did hear one going up Argenta. I would be very concerned about a potential fracture of the rain crust resting on top of a weak facet/surface hoar layer. It seems that the prevailing spatial variablity does not allow for generalizations. Obviously, the snowpack on top of the rain crust is getting loaded and that crust varies in thickness depending on where you are. Even though this is the smallest faceted layer I have seen under the rain crust so far since the crust formed -with fewer and smaller facets- is it still failing and propagating.

Primary Concern

Primary Concern:

Persistent Slabs

Probability:

Moderate

Aspect:

North

Northeast

East

Southwest

West

Northwest

Elevation:

High

Mid

Trend:

More Dangerous

Primary Concern Comments:

I am finding less facets everytime I dig but also a variable rain crust on top. I think you better watch what you are doing least that crust breaks under you, and it is more loaded now. The faceted/surface hoar layer was small (1.5 cm) but had a shear quality of Q1, even if it only failed at CT29 and ECTP29. The fracture propagated across the entire column in the ECT. I almost needed a hammer to break through the rain crust but I know it isnt that strong everywhere.

Elevation:

10100'

Aspect:

West

Slope Angle:

snow_profile_location:

United States

40° 0' 0" N, 111° 0' 0" E

Observed Danger Rating:

Moderate

Forecast Danger Rating:

Moderate

Snow Profile Location

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