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Observation: Salt Lake

Observation Date
2/26/2013
Observer Name
jakemacarthur
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
West Monitor
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Started the day with light density snow and moderate winds above treeline. By the end of the day, the skies cleared, the snow stopped and the wind abated. Pretty cool temps.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
3"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

Very light density, blower pow. Some loading and transport occurring.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Some evidence of recent avalanches but not in the past 2 days. We had one significant collapse in a wind loaded area.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

We had a significant collapse while traveling to dig a hasty pit. After backing up a bit into gentler terrain, I did an Extended Column Test and got an ECTPV, or a fracture propagation during isolation. Because of the low angle, the column did not pop out, but the shear was quite clean - definitely Quality 1. 40 centimeters deep on the buried surface layer from prior to these recent storms. This was definitely in a wind loaded area, but I felt that it was the weak layer that was the key factor in the instability.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments

Wind loading occurring. More likely to slab up in these areas and cause a problem.

Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
9,800'
Slope Angle
Unknown
Comments

I was surprised to find the layer as reactive as it was. We reassessed and stuck to lower angle terrain.

Coordinates