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Observation: Salt Lake

Observation Date
2/1/2013
Observer Name
Steve and Lucie
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
Bear trap Aspens
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
No wind at bottom of trail head. Temperature was 29 degrees F at trail head. Wind speed increased to 10-15 at ridegeline.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
8"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
Top eight inches of snow was loose (but settling) on top of a 1 inches wind slab that sat on top of maybe a foot or so of a graupel new snow mix (very loose). This sat on a compact slab of 12 inches before the last 10 inches of depth hoar.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
only seen below top eight inches of settling snow.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
Only inferred from seeing transport into south(ish) facing terrain. We did not cross south facing terrain today. The NW sides were wind scoured and saw variable cross-loading as the wind funneled through this drainage. Ridge lines facing south to SE has most cross loading.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
9,400'
Slope Angle
31°
Comments
ECT 12 Q2 with variable propagation at eight inches in depth. The top 8 inches were settling new snow - fist hardness-- did not observe the rime layer that has been discussed. The next 2 feet was consolidating snow at 4 finger hardness -- We saw no faceted layers in the top two feet that failed. Total depth was 1 meter and the last 10 inches was depth hoar sitting on the ground. structure lemons A weak layer less than a meter deep. Weak layer thickness less than 10 cm red flags observed recent avalanches ridgeline winds (10-20mph) rapidly increasing temperatures Hiked up main approach to the edge of the gully, then gained ridgeline into Beartrap aspens to get to the beartrap-Willow ridgeline. Skied the aspen shot and out below gully. Snow quality= a variable 10 smiles at ridge line and a full 10 smiles in wind sheltered areas.
Coordinates