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Observation: Wolverine

Observation Date
2/23/2024
Observer Name
Zimmerman-Wall
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Wolverine
Location Name or Route
Wolverine Cirque
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Stunner. WInd was not an issue at 10,000' ridgelines. Temps were slow to rise.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
6"
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Starting out at 830am from Grizzly TH there was a notable crust from the greenhousing in the 8500-9100' elevation range from the day prior. 5mm Surface Hoar growing atop this crust all over the lower drainage. However, above this elevation, North, East, and West facing had been spared and provided cold snow to start the day. South was crusted. Cold dry snow from the storm was beginning to facet and substantial surface hoar distribution was noted all around the area, even on top of Patsy Marley.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Red Flags Comments
Myriad evidence of long running loose dry avalanches from the day prior. Some small natural loose dry avalanches occurred around 1030 on the east facing chutes of Wolverine Cirque.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Manageable quick moving sluffs were the order of the day in this area in steep terrain. Some cornice fall in Granny chute did not trigger any slab avalanches.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Cornice
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
Large cornices along the ridge lines are pronounced and it is tempting to get close to look over the edge.
Comments
No evidence of avalanches running on 2/14 layer were present in terrain traveled today. We did not dig any snow profiles to further investigate. Following the sun around the compass we were able to find very good riding conditions and better than expected stability. Storm slabs and graupel pools below cliffs had completely settled out. Steep terrain around the cirque was skied with substantial sluffs noted. Did not see any evidence of storm slab avalanches except from what Solitude patrol had pulled out above Twin Lakes from the day prior. The debris had run quite far down to a place where many folks transition. SW facing Mircrowave as the exit was surprisingly good and had been spared the suns rays as convective clouds built into the afternoon. Many aspects will sport a more pronounced crust tomorrow and North facing slopes will remain 5-star riding.
Photos:
  1. SH in lower Grizzly. Quite consistent 3-5mm across terrain traveled.
  2. E. Facing Wolverine Cirque with large loose dry that was touchy with heat.
  3. W. Facing Wolverine Cirque with some cornice debris
  4. Cornices are large and overhanging.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates