Observation: Cardiff Fork 12/22/2011

Observer Name:

Kobernik

Region:

Cardiff Fork
Big Cottonwood Canyon
Salt Lake

Observation Date:

12/22/2011

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth:

Snow Surface Conditions:

Powder

Dense Loose

Wind Crust

Snow Characteristic Comments:

The new snow averaged around 4" deep. The wind had drifted it around quite a bit even lower in the drainages.

Red Flags

Cracking

Collapsing

Red Flag Comments:

We experienced numerous large collapses with shooting cracks during the day. We also noted cracks around most other ski tracks that we came across.

Primary Concern

Primary Concern:

Wind Slabs

Probability:

Considerable

Aspect:

North

Northeast

East

West

Northwest

Elevation:

High

Mid

Trend:

Less Dangerous

Primary Concern Comments:

Areas that had wind drifted snow were no doubt the biggest concern today. The fresh wind drifts were enough to cause collapsing and avalanches if someone was provoking them. Fresh wind drifts were scattered on many aspects but they needed to be on top of older weak snow to collapse or release which is found on west through north through east aspects.

snow_profile_location:

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 1)

Things are not overly scary out there but there is certainly potential for someone to get caught in an avalanche. Any area that has areas of wind drifted new snow is suspect.

Video 1: