UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!

Observation: Silver Spoon

Observation Date
2/6/2020
Observer Name
Sean M
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Silver Fork » Silver Spoon
Location Name or Route
Silver Spoon
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
New snow seemed very poorly bonded and readily cracked while skinning. There was clearly a soft slab developing and with more snow these slabs seem like they will be likely to move in steep terrain.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Winds were swirling during my ascent in lower Silver Fork. I wouldn't want to be in any windloaded zones for the next couple days
Comments
I toured up lower Silver Fork early this morning and observed several red flags which quickly got my attention. There was only about 2"-3" of new snow down low but it was obviously cracking while I broke trail up through the aspens. After reaching about 9,200 feet the snow was roughly 4-5" and continuing to crack along with increasing winds. At that point I decided I had no interest in seeing what the winds had done up higher close to the ridge and dug a quick pit just to see what the snow looked like. Shovel tilt tests resulted in clean shearing of the storm snow sliding on the consolidated somewhat sun affected crust underneath. I didn't do an ECT but easily got the storm snow to break and crack with little effort by pulling from behind the column. I rode back down through the aspens mostly following the skin track. Sorry for the crappy photo, the light was low and I didn't put much effort into it.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High
Coordinates