Observation: No Name Bowl

Observation Date
12/17/2013
Observer Name
mark white
Region
Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline » No Name Bowl
Location Name or Route
No Name Bowl, PC Ridgeline
Weather
Sky
Few
Weather Comments
Yet another warm sunny day.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

Facet skiing is the only game in town for now, or you can herk and jerk through wind crust if you prefer.

Comments

Went to have a look at No Name for the first time this year, figured it might have some facet skiing in a thin snow pack. No Name Bowl the facet factory of the PC Ridgeline did not disappoint. At the top of the bowl in the starting zone the 2ft deep snow pack has completely rotted out , lower down on the slope there was some wind skin but not enough to hold any weight and I suspect it will facet completely before we get the next storm. Pretty much could not ski a run in the bowl without starting a facet sluff in the steep starting zone. The sluffs were not running very fast and not packing a punch but they give you a good idea as to how weak the snow is and how any significant accumulation and some wind will lead to widespread avalanching. Skiing was marginal at best. Photos, skier triggered facet sluff, eroding wind drifts lower on the slope, surface hoar.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate