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Observation: Green Slope

Observation Date
1/1/2019
Observer Name
Hardesty and Wilson
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Brighton Perimeter » Green Slope
Location Name or Route
Lower Green Slope into Snake Creek
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
North
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Cold, perhaps just this side of zero. Light northerly wind.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Variable snow conditions with excellent powder along with wind-effect. Snow remained cold and southeast/east should not have a zipper tomorrow. At least the widespread wind effect will somewhat slow the inevitable faceting at the snow surface somewhat. 2mm SH noted on many snow surfaces, even along ridgelines.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Red Flags Comments
Wind loading and recent avalanches.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Went to look at the skier triggered slide reported by Chester from 12/31 in lower Green Slope. His observation timely and quite good but wanted to see if there was anything unusual about the structure. Weakness: Found a very thin (2mm) mf crust from late last week with decomposing/fragmented grains and facets above and below this crust. (Don't necessarily think RR facets) . Crown roughly 8-12" deep. I mostly attribute this avalanche to being steep, wind loaded terrain over just "fair" structure. Avalanche is just below a very steep rollover. Tests were ECTN and CT3 or CTH depending on which part of the flank one investigated. (triggered/wind loaded was CTH). No collapsing or cracking or other signs of instability noted.
Don't anticipate this to be a widespread problem.
Comments
Photos:
  • small surface hoar
  • wind loading and effect on many different aspects
  • the avalanche: quite steep rollover
  • the weakness just above (1-2cm) the thin mf crust
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate