Observation: Patsy Marly

Observation Date
3/15/2016
Observer Name
Skier #2
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Grizzly Gulch » Patsy Marly
Location Name or Route
Patsy Marley
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Decent snowfall rates late in the afternoon through sunset.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
About 12" of new snow on top of old suncrusts on west facing Patsy Marley. In places new snow was blown off revealing the old suncrusts.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Problem #1 Comments
We skied a short shot on north facing Patsy (starting around 9,800'), then went up to ski the west face (starting around 10,400') at sunset. We found no significant instabilities on either aspect. I observed one minor windslab/cracking on a small rollover near trees on the Patsy ridge. Quick hand pits on the west face showed the top 2-3" of new snow (probably snow falling after 5pm yesterday) was sliding fairly easily (and loosely) off the new snow that fell earlier in the storm. But was pleasantly surprised at the bonding between the new storm snow and the old sun crusts. I would expect the windslab problem to be more pronounced on east faces given the prevailing wind direction the last few days.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable