Observation: Salt Lake

Observation Date
3/22/2013
Observer Name
Kikkert
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
Wilson Fork
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Winds were mostly calm in the morning along the Wilson/Gobblers ridgeline. Mostly light snowfall with a few periods of moderate snowfall.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
10"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

About 8-10" of new prior to today's wave, right side up, with maybe 2-3 falling in the morning while we were out. Can't complain about the quality of the skiing.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
Just really minor things to note in Wilson in the AM , just a few leftover shallow drifts from yesterday and a few very shallow (2"), very small (5-6') soft slabs during a brief spike in precip rates. Overall it didn't look like winds blew very hard up there yesterday, and drifts were confined to right off the ridgelines. These had all pretty much settled out and were not cracking out at all, and winds were behaved while we were there today.
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
9,300'
Slope Angle
34°
Comments

Very visible grauple layer in the new snow from when the cold front rolled in Friday morning. You could get the top 6-8" to crack out on the grauple layer when stepping above the skin track, quick hand pits, etc. However, it was a non-issue otherwise. As others have noted, mid and upper elevation N facing slopes didn't warm up during last weeks warm spell and there was still a structured winter snowpack, with facets from late January still visible, but not an issue for now.

Coordinates