Observation: Scotts Bowl

Observation Date
3/1/2014
Observer Name
mark white
Region
Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline » Scotts Bowl
Location Name or Route
USA Bowl, Scotts
Weather
Sky
Broken
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Waited until noon to go out thinking the winds might deminish, wrong they were blowing in the strong catagorey on the PC Ridgeline from the SW. Air tempeture remained unseasonably warm.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
7"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

Measured about 16 inches total for the storm in the wind protected trees in lower USA Bowl. Snow amounts varied drastically in the wind exposed terrain, from knee deep drifts to wind scoured down to the old bed surface. Snow was damp at the trail head at the upper parking lot of Solitude, and remained that way until at least 8700ft.

Comments

Walked up USA Bowl from Solitude, was a bit surprised that there was no skin trail in yet. Breaking trail was painful in the wind protected area, dense and inverted snow, became easier when I reached the main bowl, with the lower portion slabbed up by the wind and almost supportable, and the upper portion scoured down to the old bed surface. Upon reaching the ridge line noted a avalanche off of Scotts Peak, Debris in the trees and a large debris pile in the flats, not sure on the timing, visibility was limited by the blowing snow. Probably ran late yesterday or last night. Also noted a couple crowns across the way in White Pine Canyon over by Scotts Pass. Went to take a look into South Monitor saw debris on the slope but uncertain if it was avalanche debris or just natural cornice drops. Photos.

Scotts Peak slide , debris in the trees, and debris pile in the flats.

SW and S facing slopes stripped of snow down to the dirt.

Dense snow and graupel in wind protected terrain.

Damp snow up to 8700ft.

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