Observation: Pfeifferhorn

Observation Date
4/22/2018
Observer Name
Jonathon Spitzer
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Maybird Gulch » Pfeifferhorn
Location Name or Route
Pfeifferhorn: North Ridge
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Super nice day in the mountains with some light clouds forming in the afternoon.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

Surface snow was frozen this morning and supportable to walk on with less then 5cm boot pen. ~3hrs after surface has been in sun it became damp and boot pen was 25cm+.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
Very warm day and witness several Wet Loose avalanches on steep slopes (Dresden Face, NE face of Pfeifferhorn)
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

Seems to be isolated to steep >40 terrain features typically near rocks on NE-S-NW. Natural activity started around 11am. Sun was starting to hit high East facing terrrain about 7:30-8am.

Comments

Small Wet Loose avalanche around 11:30 off the NE face of the Pfeifferhorn.

With the current melt freeze cycle and as long as temps cool off at night. I would expect conditions on the spring mountaineering objectives to stay good for alittle while. Start early - End early (before the heat comes on!) Below show good cramponing conditions on the North Ridge.

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