Observation: Butler Fork 3/5/2010

Observer Name:

McKee

Region:

Salt Lake
Big Cottonwood Canyon
Butler Fork

Observation Date:

03/05/2010

Location or Route:

East Butler Fk.

Weather

Sky:

Broken

Precipitation:

Light Snowfall

Wind Speed:

Calm

Weather Comments:

Stayed coolish, in the lower mid thirties. Cloud cover helped alot. Hard to tell this time of year if greenhousing in going on or it's just warm; however it would've been way worse had the sun stayed out.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth:

12"

New Snow Density:

Medium

Snow Surface Conditions:

Powder

Snow Characteristic Comments:

Not blower, but just the right density to pad the crust. Skied W to NW to NE then E with a South exit. Snow stayed relatively dry all day. Exited ESE facing at 3, things didn't goop up until 7,500'.

Red Flags

Red Flag Comments:

None

Primary Concern

Primary Concern:

New Snow

Probability:

Low

Aspect:

North

Northeast

East

Southeast

South

Southwest

West

Northwest

Elevation:

Mid

Trend:

Less Dangerous

Primary Concern Comments:

Dug hand pits all aspects, found reluctant Q3 shear 4" down. Skied up to 40 degrees today with a small sluff on that run, no sluffs on 35 and less.

Secondary Concern

Secondary Concern:

Persistent Slabs

Probability:

Low

Aspect:

North

Northeast

Northwest

Elevation:

Mid

Trend:

Less Dangerous

Secondary Concern Comments:

Didn't find any weaknesses here, but still can't let it go.

snow_profile_location:

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 1)

I'm generaly fealing good about the snow for the first time this season.

Observed Danger Rating:

Moderate

Forecast Danger Rating:

Moderate