Obs-Snow Profile: Park City Ridgeline 11/18/2011

Observer Name:

Jake Hutchinson

Region:

Salt Lake
Park City Ridgeline

Observation Date:

11/18/2011

Location or Route:

PC Ridge from Dream peak, over Macdonald & Dutches, summit of 9990 and then continued north to ski out homerun

Weather

Sky:

Overcast

Precipitation:

Light Snowfall

Wind Direction:

South

Wind Speed:

Moderate

Snow Characteristics

Snow Surface Conditions:

Wind Crust

Red Flags

Wind Loading

Cracking

Red Flag Comments:

Moderate wind loading has begun, with small stiff cornices and easily triggered minute wind slabs (less than 2" at this point). I imagine it will get more entertaining as the storm progresses

Primary Concern

Primary Concern:

Wind Slabs

Probability:

Moderate

Aspect:

North

Northeast

East

Elevation:

Mid

Trend:

More Dangerous

Primary Concern Comments:

The new windblown snow isn't bonding to the old snow surface very well. With enough wind and snow in the next 24 hours it could become problematic. A small slide in the new snow could easily step down to the facets/MF crust at or near the ground in areas that haven't avalanched or have enough snow

Secondary Concern

Secondary Concern:

New Snow

Probability:

Considerable

Aspect:

North

Northeast

East

Southeast

Elevation:

High

Mid

Trend:

More Dangerous

Secondary Concern Comments:

The thin wind skin on the surface could become problematic as a nice bed surface depending on how well new snow bonds tonight.

Elevation:

9600'

Aspect:

Northeast

Slope Angle:

snow_profile_location:

United States

40° 38' 55.77" N, 111° 35' 6.8568" W

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 1)

2-4 mm facets on or near the ground along the PC Ridge

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 2)

Tiny easily triggered avalanches and cracking in new wind loaded areas. No problem now, but could become one with this storm

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 3)

One of my pits after CT tests. MF bed surface and facets are easy to see.

Observed Danger Rating:

Low

Forecast Danger Rating:

Considerable

Snow Profile Location

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