Observation: Diving Board

Observation Date
1/4/2019
Observer Name
White, Hughes, Stetson
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Broads Fork » Diving Board
Location Name or Route
Diving Board, Broads Fork
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Clear skies and comfortable temperatures in the shade, a little warm in the sun, increasing wind from the SW as the day went on, moving snow on the SLC Twin Peaks.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Recycled faceted powder on the NE facing Diving Board, a couple spots with some thin wind skin but the surface has lost integrity and is faceted loose, damp snow or a melt freeze crust on S SE and SW.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Comments
The weakest snow we found on the Diving Board was the surface and down 8 to 10 inches this layer has faceted out with the cold clear nights, and will certainly not hold much of a load when we get one. There is also a layer of faceted snow sitting under the Christmas storm that could be problematic with more of a load. The ECTX was non reactive but there is no load on the weak layer at this point in time. The snow pack is quite variable with thinner spots being more loose and faceted than the deeper spots. Bonkers had multiple crowns from the E wind event and we did not one glide avalanche in the sunny rock slabs on the N side of Bonkers that appeared to have run yesterday.
photos: snow pit, glide cracks, glide slide, wind transported snow in the PM, video of ECT and loose surface facets
Video
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low