Observation: Murdock Pk 1/30/2012

Observer Name:

J Brown

Region:

Salt Lake
Mill Creek Canyon
Murdock Pk

Observation Date:

01/30/2012

Location or Route:

Upper Millcreek/ Murdock peak

Weather

Sky:

Overcast

Precipitation:

Light Snowfall

Wind Speed:

Moderate

Weather Comments:

Gusty on the ridge lines with snow early. Breaking in the afternoon with some sun.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth:

New Snow Density:

Medium

Snow Surface Conditions:

Dense Loose

Snow Characteristic Comments:

Wind blown powder. Good skiing below the ridge lines in thick powder.

Red Flags

Recent Avalanches

Wind Loading

Collapsing

Red Flag Comments:

We easily had a dozen major collapses spanning 20-100 yards, and numerous very local collapses as we were skinning.

Primary Concern

Primary Concern:

Persistent Slabs

Aspect:

North

Northeast

Northwest

Elevation:

Mid

Trend:

Same

Primary Concern Comments:

As we were preparing to dig a pit on a 23 degree Northwest slope at about 9,100 feet the whole area collapsed. We decided to did the pit anyway all though the result might be skewed by the collapse. We got a CT21 Q2 about 10cm below the dirt layer in facets. More interesting was a ECT10 Q2 on the same Layer. Perhaps the collapse previous to the test made it easier to iniatiate a failure, or it went the other way and released the tension. Not what the science says on that one...

snow_profile_location:

Observed Danger Rating:

Considerable

Forecast Danger Rating:

Considerable