Observation Date
12/24/2015
Observer Name
Jake Hutchinson and Cameron Banko
Region
Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline
Location Name or Route
Park City Ridgeline
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Blue and cold out there this morning! Observed lots of snow moving on higher distant peaks, but it was calm in our location
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
4'
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Variety of layers in the storm snow due to wind, temp etc etc... After teaching for the previous 5 days in upper LCC, I feel that the PC ridgeline got a bit more snow than what I saw around Alta
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Didn't feel any collapses but was nervous enough about remote triggers to give everything over 34 degrees a very wide berth
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
well developed and uniformly distributed basal facets are scary. If you collapse this weak layer, the avalanches will be quite large and likely unsurvivable. I think it will take some time before anything that hasn't avalanched can be trusted. REally struggle with how to rate the danger. I didn't see any naturals occur and I have no doubt that steep slopes were tested without consequence today, but this dragon will sleep sound and bite you when you don't expect it... maybe the first rider, maybe the 20th, maybe after the next storm or two. I am reminded of snow conditions in 04-05...
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Variety of hardness and density breaks in New snow, didn't see any propagate, but they were quite sensitive in shovel shear tests. I expect this problem to heal quickly, but the cold temps will make it heal slower than we may be used to in these parts.
Sheep shit ridge avalanched to the ground in 2 or 3 separate events, based on snow covering the crowns/bed surfaces.
Large slide on the Wall of Voodoo on Square Top
Another "pocket" on Sheep Shit Ridge into Dense trees, I got caught here in 95, if the slide had been this size, trauma surely wouldve killed me. PIc below is Wilson, looks to have gone early and filled in, also a large crown on SE face of Gobblers but I didn't get a decent pic
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
