Obs-Snow Profile: Wolverine Peak 2/3/2011

Observer Name:

Quino Gonzalez/Greg Gagne

Region:

Salt Lake
Big Cottonwood Canyon
Wolverine Peak

Observation Date:

02/03/2011

Location or Route:

Wolverine Pk/BCC

Weather

Sky:

Clear

Wind Direction:

East

Wind Speed:

Moderate

Weather Comments:

Ta was -6.5 C at 1240, 10347 ft, moderate wind from the east on sheltered areas, but strong on ridges. Ski was clear after few clouds moved away.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth:

New Snow Density:

Medium

Snow Surface Conditions:

Dense Loose

Faceted Loose

Snow Characteristic Comments:

A. There was a 1 cm of SH, small facets already affected by the wind and sun (we noticed a 2 C (strong) TG between the Ts and T10, so we attributed this to diurnal recrystallization. B. We also noticed a weakness on top of the MLK rain crust, with some DF and facets. We called this a secondary weakness, the main weakness being, C. The SH buried 70 cms. under the surface (190 cms. from the ground). The SH failed in 2 of 3 tests. The ECT did not give results and was rated as ECTN. The weak layer, however, is still fast and planar (Q1).

Red Flags

Wind Loading

Red Flag Comments:

Not many red flags but there is some wind loading on western aspects. We skied Wolverine's Stupid Chute and was very icy. Otherwise we felt good about the snowpack stability.

Primary Concern

Primary Concern:

Wind Slabs

Probability:

Moderate

Aspect:

West

Elevation:

High

Mid

Trend:

Less Dangerous

Primary Concern Comments:

The wind slabs and the icy slopes were our primary concern. Otherwise, the MLK crust is very supportable so far on NE (but probably slowly decomposing).

Elevation:

10300'

Aspect:

Northeast

Slope Angle:

snow_profile_location:

Observed Danger Rating:

Moderate

Forecast Danger Rating:

Moderate