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Observation: Grizzly Gulch

Observation Date
4/17/2018
Observer Name
becca babicz
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Grizzly Gulch
Location Name or Route
Grizzly Gulch
Weather
Sky
Broken
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Measured 32 cm/ 12 in of new snow on dust crust layer @ NE aspect/ 9,450 ft. Although snow was not bonding well to crust layer, snow was light and fluffy and was not taking on slab like characteristics.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Red Flags Comments
Wind scoured terrain and wind loading noted at ridge lines and isolated areas. Wind blowing 10 to 15 MPH from SSW. Test slopes on wind loaded areas showed cracking. No recent natural or human-triggered avalanches were noted on any aspect or elevation (8,700 to 10,000 ft.) during my observation.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
I'd expect to see wind slabs a problem in isolated areas at upper elevations on the ridgelines, below cornices and in cross-loaded areas or gullies, especially on E / NE facing aspects.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
12 in of new snow sits on a hard layer of graupel/ dusty crust. I'd expect storm slabs being a problem in isolated areas with steep terrain that was protected from the wind on all aspects.
Video
Wind
Wind loaded test slope
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate