Observation: Catherine's Pass

Observation Date
12/1/2014
Observer Name
Toddeo
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Catherine's Pass
Location Name or Route
Catherines area
Weather
Sky
Broken
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Blustery on the ridgetops, some transport.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
1"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

Snow pack is semi supportable. Snow pack is bridging, however it's not a trustable one.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Some windoading on the ridge tops, minor 1 collapse while approaching Catherines Pass. Same old story on the poor structure.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

Not going away anytime soon, The fact that I still cannot isolate ECTs is still concerning (see snow profile). The lack of in your face clues will continue to be problematic.

2nd snow profile is from the crown of the slide reported by Kendal on Nov 26th, I was surprised by the ice crust surrounded by facets. The crust had a high spatial variability. I was also surprised by the lack or positive results on two ECTs at the crown (36-37 degrees), I assumed that they would propagate as typical at a crown. Not sure if exposure to the recent warm weather had anything to do with this. I did not observe this crust in the other snow profile included with his ob. Both profiles were on the same aspect. Ice crust is visible in the pit photo.

2nd pit profile and photo is for crown of this avalanche.

http://utahavalanchecenter.org/avalanches/22152

Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
10,300'
Slope Angle
30°

Profile and Photo from Nov. 26 slide:

On the north 1/2 of the compass, I am still thinking somewhere in the considerable range due to the poor snow pack structure, thin bridge and consequences.

Moderate on the south 1/2 of the compass.

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