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Observation: Park City Ridgeline

Observation Date
1/4/2020
Observer Name
Paradis
Region
Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline
Location Name or Route
Park City Ridgeline
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Wind was most notable along ridges. Slightly below was pretty pleasant.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
4"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
On a SE aspect, I noted a zipper crust probably from earlier in the week. In the wind, snow was either scoured and/or wind packed. Out of the wind and on other aspects, snow was pretty good settled powder.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Biggest red flag was the wind. It was loading or crossloading slopes along the PC Ridgeline, including Dutch Draw and the Monitors. Newly formed drifts did not seem overly sensitive and we only observed very limited activity. In terms of snow structure, the basal facets are rounding and are not quite as loose as they were a month ago. The larger issue now seems to be the multiple interfaces between storms. On both a west and north aspect, I noted some rounding facets about 30 cms deep.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Wind drifted snow tends to create connected slabs and rapidly loads lee slopes, which is a recipe for avalanches. New snow tomorrow may arrive with strong winds further adding to the problem.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Basal facets are only burred along the PC Ridgeline about 1m deep, which although unlikely today, is still within the range that could be triggered by a person, particularly in a thin rocky area. The good news is that these appear to be gaining strength. As noted above, there were also multiple storm interfaces that could be problematic.
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
9,700'
Slope Angle
25°
Comments
Wind affected snow below
Small overloaded cornice failure.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable