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Observation: Reynolds Peak

Observation Date
12/25/2015
Observer Name
Toddeo
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Mill D North » Butler Fork » Reynolds Peak
Location Name or Route
Reynolds Peak
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
North
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Bonus round of snow mid canyon. 6' of light snow above 9000'. About 1.5-2" during the afternnon, less than an inch on the car at spruces. Not much transport with the exception of the north apsects. My skin track on the east ridge did not blow in inbetween runs.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
6"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

The new snow was light, generally easy breaking the old skin track. Not so easy off trail.....Breaking new trail was a wallow,

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Lots of red flags from this week. Although if you were walking with the blinders on in low vis, you may not have noticed much today, no cracking, collasping sluff or such. I did not dig any formal pits but was able to push my pole into facets on north and east aspects. Some of the instabilties I observed yestday appear to have settled out.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

The new snow will have masked any drifts/slabs from the recent wind events,

Considerable danger in wind affected areas.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #2 Comments

The facets are lurking. I think we are at the point where it is getting harder to trigger these with over 3' of snow sitting above the facets. In my opinion the likelihood of triggering is has gotten a bit lower but the consequences are still high, big deep and unmanageable.

I think with forecasted bluebird weather and a holiday weekend, it is a recipe for disaster.

Comments

No snow profiles today, lots of hand and pole pits, light was not conducive to photography.

Skied east, south and north aspects. All aspects felt similar though the mid-pack. I was able to isolate 3' tall columns in this week's snow on all aspects.

It is possible that the north facing portion of the ne bowl of Reynolds ran during the storm, surface looks a bit rough.

Photo below, It is deep out there, please make sure all short kids have proper safety gear!

I think we are in the realm where the hazard is not an easy call, I am saying considerable but traveling as per high at times, I gave the cornice on the east ridge of Reynolds more room than usual.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

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