Observation: Park City Ridgeline

Observation Date
4/8/2013
Observer Name
Michael Janulaitis
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
Easter Bowl
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Heavy snow falling morning - afternoon. 10-12 inches of new on the Park City ridgeline by 6:00 PM.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
11"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer

After several days of temps above freezing I was very concerned about the new snow overloading the now wet snow pack so I dug a little to see how wet the snow really was. I was surprised to see the snow on the north west side was not too bad. There were several melt freeze layers near the surface with some facets below each but I was unable to get any of those layers to react other than CTM 13 BRK. I was however able to get an ECT 26 SP down over 80 CM. Take a look at the hard slab. After falling over the extended column maintains its form.