Observation: Reynolds Pk

Observation Date
2/10/2019
Observer Name
Hardesty and Wilson
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Reynolds Pk
Location Name or Route
BCC-Reynolds-MCC
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
South
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Occasionally strong gusts; warm temps.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
3"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Southerly aspects will be crusted after the cold front and buried beneath the storm snow. Medium density snow.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
Winds the main player today again. Looks like wide natural cornice fall possibly triggered a very shallow 50' wide wind slab off the main skier's right face of Reynolds. The entirety of the Reynolds Peak - west Reynolds ridgeline had natural cornice fall ... but they continue to grow.
Comments
Only avalanches noted were possibly a size 1 as noted on Reynolds face. Perhaps a size 2 natural from wind load on the lower Raymond north ridge shoulder down into Mill A. Couldn't tell; perhaps someone in the drainage will confirm.

Dug a few holes 8800'-8500' in upper Big Water that I thought might still harbor the Feb 2 surface hoar and facets. (general HS 175cm) See pic below. See the thin grey line 60cm down where my snow saw is pointing? Me neither. One can find them as a couple cm of grey 4F facets but they have assimilated well into the snowpack - ECTN (25, 27, etc). Lots of people skiing and riding in this suspect terrain with only isolated reactivity along this layer.
Pics
Reynolds Face
Natural cornice fall along west Reynolds ridge
Stable snow pits 8500-87--' NE Upper Big Water
Would expect tonight's snow to bond well to Saturday night's snow but much depends on precipitation intensity and wind. The recent wind slabs will now be buried beneath tonight's storm snow and more difficult to spot. Wind transport today happening and crossloading even at the mid-elevations.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None