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Observation: Guardsman Pass area

Observation Date
12/29/2017
Observer Name
ryan c
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Guardsman Pass area
Location Name or Route
Guardsman Pass
Weather
Sky
Clear
Weather Comments
Clear and sunny. Warm. 45deg F.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Faceted Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
Shaded slope, sheltered, right off the Guardsman Pass road. Loose snow on the surface. Denser snow for the remainder of the top 35cm (this is the slab).
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Two avalanches on same aspect from Thursday. Large collapses on flat areas that shook trees/bushes. Cracking around skis. Multiple crust/facet layers.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Thought I would get easier propagation in ECTs. All tests failed on the same layer. 1st ECT: ECTN 23 Q2 2nd ECT: ECTN 17 Q2 Tapped on the remainder of the slab, which then propagated at 24 taps, Q2. Seems to not be as reactive/sensitive as in the few days immediately after the storms. Slab will be breaking larger, as evidenced by several previous avalanches around 300ft wide.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
8,400'
Slope Angle
30°
Comments
Slab is not as sensitive as it has been. I was surprised to see that I was not getting propagations on the first fracture, but only when I continued tapping on the remainder of the ECT. Still experiencing widespread large collapses and whoomphing. I think you're still floating between Possible/Unlikely for human triggered avalanches, but size may be D3. This puts us in the considerable range for our persistent slab. With no snow in the foreseeable future, the snow surface will be weakening, and of course the persistent slab will still linger.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates