Observation Date
12/15/2013
Observer Name
Paradis
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Grizzly Gulch
Location Name or Route
Grizzly Gulch - Davenport Hill
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Nice sunny day above the inversion.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
The snow varied by aspect. North, NE and NW aspect held better snow but plenty of tracks. Snow on the southern part of the compass was thin and warming a bit.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
I managed to dig on West, North and SW slopes. I was suprised by the facets on some SW slopes I had thought much of the old snow had melted there and wasn't expecting to find many facets on SW slopes. They were not reactive to snowpit tests but that may not be suprising given time since last storm and results on north and NW slopes. On other North and West aspects there were two main layers of facets - those near the ground and NSF just below snow from the last series of storms.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
As noted above, it seemed like most aspects have quite a few facets.
Snow Profile
Aspect
West
Elevation
10,100'
Slope Angle
25°
Comments
Over the last few days we've seen quite a few photos on surface hoar. Here is a photo of some that looks buried. This was somewhat interesting because it looked like some of it was a little tipped over and not quite so up right.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates
