Observation Date
4/19/2018
Observer Name
chester
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon
Location Name or Route
Big cottonwood canyon
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
East
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Overcast, sun did come out but not long, wind n clouds kept heating down, at least high.. I was above 9200 and north, but no rollerballs on exit 1:20.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Wind damage from West and East wind. Filled in some tracks. Decent riding still exists. Snow north sheltered still dry above 9700! Bottom feeding.
M/f crust from yesterday's heating except north all altitudes. North baked too below 9600'.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
I cut off an extremely small pocket. see pic . Snow being transported in gusts. East wind observed but evidence of West wind. windslabs possible many aspects. I'd be particularlt leary of windslabs on east facing above 9000 due to yesterday's m/f and might be touchier.
Slide for life on dusty crust, pockety. See pic
Old snow new snow bond much better today due to yesterday's warming/last night's freezing,
New weak layer is just below yesterday's m/f crust, exp east.
Dusty crust will make a nice bed for avalanches to run on due to heat or loading.
This short steep looked good to me...but i triggered a Very small fracture 6' wide, 6" deep on old snow new snow interface. bed was dusty crust, real risk slide for life if longer. North sheltered, 9600'.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
