Observation: Reynolds Pk 3/27/2011

Observer Name:

Bruce Tremper

Region:

Reynolds Pk
Big Cottonwood Canyon
Salt Lake

Observation Date:

03/27/2011

Weather

Sky:

Scattered

Wind Speed:

Moderate

Weather Comments:

Toured along the ridgeline from Reynolds Peak towards Wilson Peak and dug a pit in Soldier Fork.

Weather was clear in the morning but with my crack of noon start (today was supposed to be a day off), I caught the clouds and snow in the afternoon.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth:

12"

New Snow Density:

Medium

Snow Surface Conditions:

Powder

Snow Characteristic Comments:

The area got about a foot of snow overnight and it was fairly light but with wind and sun it quickly turned stiffer through the day. Sun exposed slopes became damp but still some nice snow on north facing slopes. You can have fun on lower angled slopes

Red Flags

Wind Loading

Cracking

Primary Concern

Primary Concern:

Wind Slabs

Probability:

Considerable

Aspect:

Northeast

East

Southeast

Elevation:

High

Trend:

Same

Primary Concern Comments:

Wind was moderate and transporting snow along the ridges. I ran into a friend in the parking lot who said he wanted to ski the slope above Desolation Lake in the morning and he decided against it because of too much recent wind loading.

I took video (attached below) that shows wind loading along the ridge of Reynolds with a recent, natural cornice collapse.

Wind slabs and density inversions within the new snow will likely be the largest problems in the next day or two.

Secondary Concern

Secondary Concern:

Persistent Slabs

Probability:

Low

Elevation:

High

Mid

Trend:

Same

Secondary Concern Comments:

There are several layers in the snow from the numerous storms we have had the past coupe weeks. In a snowpit in Soldier Fork, I found a funky rain crust on the dusty layer about two feet down. This was the weakest layer in my snowpit and broke out on easy shoulder taps (22) just below the rain crust. I am not aware of any human triggered avalanches on this layer but it will be interesting to see if it produces any avalanches with the additional storms on the way or the strong warming forecast for Thursday and Friday. My guess is that it will remain fairly well-behaved and most of our problems will be within the new snow and wind slabs.

snow_profile_location:

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 1)

Video of a snow profile in Soldier Fork, East Facing, around 9,000' and also some wind loading on Reynolds Peak.

Video 1:

Observed Danger Rating:

Moderate

Forecast Danger Rating:

Considerable