Observation Date
2/2/2018
Observer Name
cmackenzie
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Grizzly Gulch
Location Name or Route
grizzly gulch
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Overcast, light steady wind keeping warming in check. Very light snowfall late afternoon.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
Roughly 2-3cm damp snow at surface from greenhousing. Snow from previous storm decomposing and starting to snow evidence of near surface faceting. Some rollerballs and point releases below rocks noticed, but no large wet loose observed.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Poor structure continues with persistent weak layer of faceted snow roughly 1 meter down throughout travel areas. Although tests did not show signs of instability, the poor structure and recent sporadic persistant slab activity has me convinced this issue has not gone away.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Scary moderate. Big picture, the weak persistent layers seem widespread on north and northeast aspects above 8500 but do not seem to be reactive in stability tests.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
No major transport or wind slab formation noted, however, some cross loading of north aspect gullies seemed widespread today.
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
9,600'
Slope Angle
30°
Comments
Three full study pits dug today at similar aspect/elevation with similar findings. No results on stability tests, however, poor structure noted in all pits.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
