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Observation: Broads Fork

Observation Date
1/6/2015
Observer Name
Dylan Freed
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Broads Fork
Location Name or Route
Broads Fork
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Very warm in the hills today. In T-shirts to 10,500' in the shade on the E face of SLC Twin. Saw evidence and occurrence of numerous WL-N-R1/D1
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
A little bit of everything: Upper elevation terrain in Broads fork suffered far worse than terrain I traveled in Hogum a few days previous. Mixed bag of wind board(hard and soft), feathers, to moist snow down low. Most important note is that snow surface continues to weaken with near surface faceting(even below wind skins) on upper elevation terrain E-NW facing above 9.5k'. Also; all previously observed surface hoar at low and mid elevations has been melted or knocked down by wind. Snow below 8k' became damp on Mill B exit.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Not a major concern on the terrain traveled today, but caution at low elevation and solar exits. The Structure of our persistent weak layers continue to show improvement. I believe these and wind slabs are officially off my avalanche problem list with the results and reactions I've seen. This does not mean I will stop digging and probing while touring in 'fresh' terrain for my season or more consequential terrain that I want to travel in. My concern will elevate with any significant new load for all of our persistent interfaces.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Again; not on terrain I chose today, but as a whole this is #1 problem for today's/tomorrow's conditions. Danger trend increasing throughout day.
Snow Profile
Aspect
East
Elevation
10,500'
Slope Angle
37°
Comments
Accessed Broads Fork from BCC trailhead and ascended the E face of Salt Lake Twin. Digging Pit in apron below face.
Skiing conditions were not 'ideal' UT snow, but coverage and conditions allowed for a descent from the summit.
We descended the E face of Twin then climbed to shoulder of Dromedary Pk and skied "Sidewinder" into Mill B and exited to BCC.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates