Observation: Maybird Gulch

Observation Date
3/24/2016
Observer Name
Bruce Tremper
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Maybird Gulch
Location Name or Route
Maybird
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Kind of gloomy, low clouds much of the day with occasional sun poking through and racing by in the strong westerly wind.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
10"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

The wind certainly had its way in all the wind exposed terrain making dense, lurch-and-jerk conditions and wind slabs. Even the east facing Maybird aprons were quite wind damaged and forced us into the trees to find better snow. Even though it was mostly cloudy today, it's that time of year, and the strong sun made it through the low clouds to make most of the snow damp by the end of the day. There's still some soft snow above about 9,000' in the north-facing trees, but everything else is either wind damaged or damp from the occasional sun poking thorugh the low clouds today.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
The wind slabs have stabilized rapidly but there may be a few more booby traps lurking. The rapid warming is starting to make roller balls on the steep, sun exposed slopes.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Problem #1 Comments

The wind slabs have stabilized rapidly but there may be a few more booby traps lurking. I could see lots of evidence of wind slab activity during the storm that was subsequently covered up by more wind drifting. The instabilities are settling out quickly.

Here on the slopes beneath the Pfeifferhorn in upper Maybird Cirque, you can see lots of wind damage to the snow. Indeed, any wind exposed slope got hit, even at lower elevations. You need to find very wind sheltered slopes, such as in the north facing trees.

You can see the wind slab on the left that was then partially covered up by more wind drifting during the storm.

You can see the wind damage on Red Top and the Tri Chutes at the top of White Pine Canyon.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Problem #2 Comments

There was rapid warming today, combined with low clouds and a bit of green housing, making all the new snow damp and manky. I could see several areas of rollerballs on the steep, sun exposed slopes. There will probably be more of that if it continues to warm.

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