Observation: Cardiac Bowl

Observation Date
2/7/2018
Observer Name
T Diegel
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Cardiff Fork » Cardiac Bowl
Location Name or Route
Flagstaff to Holy T to Cardiac
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
5"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

NW facing up high (holy Toledo) was scoured at top, pockety lower. south facing was cream on crust.

Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #1 Comments

Up in Cardiac we did one hasty pit in a thin area and got a clean shear 14" down but it took a bit of effort to get it out. In a fatter area an ECT only pulled out 3' down with a bit of prying after whapping it a lot. That said, we were still wary of the well-advertised persistent slab, and as there is no place to hide in Cardiac we didn't push up past where it ramped up to > 30 degrees. But undoubtedly someone will, and will likely be fine.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Problem #2 Comments

Over in the Cardiac Ridge/Ivory area we saw a small loose sluff come down that probably started from coming off the cliffs in the morning sun (see pic) Probably not enough to knock you over, however.

Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Comments

We got assurances that all was safe by seeing a seasoned snowshoer who came up from the bottom of Cardiff and did a pretty high traverse from the Cardiac Ridge area and felt that the avy situation was "pretty good" (see pics). He decided not to summit Superior via the north chutes because he was understandably tired.

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