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Observation: Grizzly Gulch

Observation Date
1/13/2018
Observer Name
Bo Torrey
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Grizzly Gulch
Location Name or Route
Grizzly Gulch UAC 101 class
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Clear, calm, sunny sky's. South face began to take on heat from the sun. Noticed roller balls coming down. Primarily on S SW
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
10"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Faceted Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments

Surface hoar beginning to form.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Recent avalanche on NW facing slope in Grizzly Gulch.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

Snowpack appears to be adjusting to the previous storm's water weight and the Persistent slab is becoming more difficult to trigger but the consequences of doing so remain the same. Pulling out a 1-3 ft deep slab that has consistently been wider than 75ft.

Our group performed 3 ECT's today. Not 1 test pit showed propagation. Stability tests continue to be unreliable for predicting stability on slopes. It would be easy to think that things are settling out, but persistent slab avalanches are continuing to be triggered.

Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
9,400'
Slope Angle
34°
Comments

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