Observation: Porter Fork

Observation Date
3/16/2013
Observer Name
Greg Gagne
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
Main Porter Fork
Weather
Sky
Clear
Weather Comments
No wind & clear sky. Temps < 0C in drainage bottoms @ 8 am.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
Red flags were (1) visible avalanching from the previous day, (2) several straight days of very warm temperatures, and (3) several nights of minimal - or no - refreeze.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Problem #1 Comments

SW-SE aspects at 9500' had a minimal refreeze of the snow surface and were very punchy at 1030. Digging down below the crust at the surface were damp/wet grains. Quick hand pits could isolate a column, but it was very easy to shear in the layer of damp snow underneath. (Although stability tests with wet snow issues tend to be not very useful as you may not be applying the test at the right time.) No visible water percolating in the snowpack, but it was easy to see drainage channels in the snow surface.

Comments

Went up Main Porter for some exercise and with hopes of finding supportable/softening snow somewhere (one out of two.) Highest elevation was 9600' Northerly aspects had a supportable refreeze of 2-5 cms (~2") with dry snow underneath. Solar aspects had minimal refreeze with damp and/or wet grains below the snow surface. Attempted to ski sw aspect @ 1100 and you would crash down to your knees into the weak snow below - clearly not the time to be on solar aspects.

Skied out at 1130 and given warm temperatures and direct sun, I would not be surprised to see continued wet activity on solar aspects. Direct north aspects at mid and upper elevations probably have a Low/Moderate hazard.

I generally try to have an optimistic view of our snow conditions, but flossing your cat's teeth is probably better than our current backcountry ski conditions. The glass-is-half-full view sees alot of smooth snow surfaces that will likely provide very fun conditions once winter decides to return.

Saw several natural avalanches from the previous days, mostly D1 and D2. First photo is of wet avalanche on steep, treed NW aspect in Main Porter. Second photo is of D3 glide avalanche in Broads Fork (I have not yet seen this reported.)