Observation: Argenta 1/26/2012

Observer Name:

Mark Hammond

Region:

Salt Lake
Big Cottonwood Canyon
Argenta

Observation Date:

01/26/2012

Location or Route:

Argenta

Weather

Sky:

Overcast

Precipitation:

Light Snowfall

Wind Direction:

Southwest

Wind Speed:

Moderate

Snow Characteristics

Snow Surface Conditions:

Powder

Dense Loose

Wind Crust

Rain-Rime Crust

Damp

Snow Characteristic Comments:

Quite variable. Patches of wind board near the base of the headwall. Numerous large debris piles from the recent natural cycle. Dense powder on the headwall.

Red Flags

Recent Avalanches

Wind Loading

Cracking

Collapsing

Red Flag Comments:

A few collapses heard at the base of the headwall. Collapsing and cracking near the ridge.

Primary Concern

Primary Concern:

Deep Slabs

Probability:

Considerable

Aspect:

North

Northeast

East

West

Northwest

Elevation:

High

Mid

Trend:

Less Dangerous

Primary Concern Comments:

Plenty of sugar near the ground with a hefty slab now resting on top.

snow_profile_location:

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 1)

Looks like this was a 1-2 ft wind slab that released due to yesterday's loading.

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 2)

Snow depth at the base of the headwall ranged from 80 to 100 cm. Looks like there was only about 30-50 cm of snow here before the big storm. The only prominent interface was between the old snow and all the new. We got a collapse on this interface at ECT14 but no shear or propogation. I didn't notice any significant facet/crust sandwiches in this pit like I've been finding in Little. We also got a crack about 25 cm down on ECT 14 but we had to do a shovel shear to get the slab to pop out.

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 3)

I triggered a collapse and about a 20 ft crack near the ridge. Poking around with my pole it felt much more hollow up there than it did at the base of the headwall. I would say the danger in this area was moderate with pockets of considerable.

Observed Danger Rating:

Considerable

Forecast Danger Rating:

Moderate