Observation Date
1/11/2014
Observer Name
Paradis / Caplis
Region
Salt Lake » Mill Creek Canyon » Yellow Jacket
Location Name or Route
Yellowjacket
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
As forecasted, the wind was quite strong. This was creating large plumes of snow from ridgeline that separates Yellowjacket from Alexander Basin. The morning had a little sun but it started to cloud up by about 2pm.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
8"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
The wind had hammered many open slopes and there was a minor zipper crust of some sort in places. The wind and relatively warm temps made the snow feel pretty dense. On the exit, lower elevation snow was damp and we did observe some roller balling.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Collapsing
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Wow - checked almost all the red flags today. That's a bit more interesting that just the poor structure of the last few weeks.
On the way up, poor structure, new snow, and wind were evident. Often your pole plants would sink though the dense, wind affected snow into bottomless facets.
As we got to the top of the ridgeline between Alexander and Yellowjacket, extensive wind loading was evident. This was forming large cornices that extendeded quite far over the slope. This wind loading also produced a good sized natural avalanche in Depth Hoar bowl.
As we approached the edge of the bowl, we did feel one small collapse. This was the only one we felt, so it didn't seem to be common today.
We started in Mill Creek and it was quite warm at lower elevations and we noted some rollerballing and a small wet loose slide above the parking lot.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
The strong winds and new snow were creating dense wind slabs. We observed some natural activity so these would probably be easy to trigger by a human. With more snow and wind one the way, these will probably continue to avalanche naturally.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #2 Comments
The new snow has now loaded very weak existing snow providing a good possibility of deeper avalanches involving the old snow. It was hard to tell but the natural we observed in Depth Hoar may have stepped into this older snow.
Large cornice fed by strong winds and recent snow.
Small natural avalanche. Wind loading was evident in large cornice just above slide. This was farther along the ridge towards Gobblers. The avalanche noted in Depth Hoar appeared to have started in a similar manner but the steeper slope angle allowed that avalanche to grow run farther.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High
