Observation Date
1/5/2014
Observer Name
Jake Hutchinson
Region
Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline
Location Name or Route
Park City Ridgeline
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Plenty of snow still moving around, but wind seems to have done more damage to the surface than creating slabs. A few small pockets here and there, but many mid slope locations scoured
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
4"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Variety of snow affected surfaces out there, but sheltered, low angle skiing was good
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Not ready to give up on the persistent slab yet. The slab is definitely faceting, but it is still there in the places I dug the last three or four days. It seems "dead" or almost dead anyway, but I'm still getting full propogation in extended columns. Will be interesting to see how reactive it becomes if we get a new load.
Plenty of wind loading around, but I couldn't get anything to move more than a few inches deep. Few small natural cornice falls triggered very small (2-3" deep x 20-30' wide) wind slabs. A few cornices I kicked rolled harmlessly down the slope. Ski cut on a wind drift in the starting zone of a 37 degree slope produced no results and no cracking, slab supported my weight but didn't extend far down the slope.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Small, shallow wind slabs and sensitive associated cornices.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
It's still lurking, although less and less reactive each day. Did get an ECTP 26 Sudden Collapse on a 22 degree ESE facing slope at 8900' slab was 60 cm thick and facets failed about 20 cm above the ground. Temp Gradient was 12.5 degrees/1 meter in this location showing the rapid faceting of the slab.
Pics show wind damage on PC ridge above Corn Bowl, Small (Keg sized) cornices kicked with no result and two very small naturals triggered by cornice fall, the one in the foreground obviously older than the one in the distance. SE facing slopes approx 9600'
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
