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Observation: 10420

Observation Date
12/9/2019
Observer Name
Champion & Staples
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » 10420
Location Name or Route
Peak 10,420
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
10"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Characteristics Comments
Great, fast, surfy new snow that is dense with some graupel.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Collapsing
Red Flags Comments
We looked at a remotely triggered avalanche in the run called Lane's Leap that occurred 2 days ago. Now these slopes have 10 inches of snow (with about 1 inche of water). REMOTELY triggered avalanches are a MAJOR RED FLAG. Additionally, we got 3 collapses. A collapse is the same as triggering an avalanche. The difference is that we were on low angle slopes that weren't steep enough to slide.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #1 Comments
Facets at the ground with a slab on top is the problem that will hurt or kill someone. This problem exist on northerly facing slopes, including east facing slopes. We found this layer as low as 9000 feet at the start of our tour. It produced unstable results in stability tests - a crack propagated across this weak layer in extended column tests (ECTP) repeatedly.
Comments
More info and a crown profile about the avalanche in Lanes Leap can be found HERE.
We dug six snowpits at elevations from 9000 ft to 10,250 ft on NE, E, and SE aspects. Below are 3 profiles and relevant pictures.
Video
The main strategy to avoid avalanches is to avoid steep slopes that generally face northerly as well as facing east.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates