Observation: Salt Lake

Observation Date
2/27/2013
Observer Name
jakemacarthur
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
Cardiff Pass to Cardiac
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Beautiful bluebird day in the Wasatch! Still chilly in the shade, but sweaty in the sun. Sunny sides getting some radiation.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
4"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

No new snow overnight. The previous day's snow settled a bit, but was still dreamy. Anywhere from 8 to 4 inches, actually decreasing with elevation, as noted in the forecast.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
Saw a few point releases that probably went yesterday in Cardiac. Well contained, did not propagate very far.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

It seemed like the biggest concern was the wind slab right off the ridges. There were some small cornices and pillows. We ski cut a few of them, but found them supportable and non-reactive. Overall, the wind loading was not very significant.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments

I did find a harder layer about 30-40 cms down in the pack that was reactive to hand shears and an ECT (ECTP12). Overall, though, this layer was not super clean and had low energy - no popping out of the pit. On the many hand shears, the layer failed with moderate pressure, but was reasonably well bonded to the layers above and below. I could not see any evidence of faceting around this layer, but I wouldn't be surprised if there was a bit. The weekend's snow is consolidating enough to slab up.

Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
10,000'
Slope Angle
32°
Comments

Had an ECT12. Column did not pop and showed limited energy. I would call it a Quality 2 shear. Pit was in a wind loaded zone, but that was what we were interested in investigating. Skied the slope without incident and then had a fabulous day skiing a few laps on the east face of cardiac bowl.

Coordinates