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Observation: Butler Fork

Observation Date
11/14/2020
Observer Name
Jimmy G
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Butler Fork
Location Name or Route
Butler Fork
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Winds from the south were consistent and gusty at times, transporting new snow and creating a noticeable 5-10cm wind slab in less sheltered terrain. I observed cracking under my skis, but no shooting cracks nor collapsing.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Normal Caution
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
25-30cm of snow at the trailhead and roughly 40cm higher in the drainage on sheltered N facing slopes. Early season conditions exist. Also observed an abundance of graupel pooling into drainage bottoms.
Comments
Rolled the dice and decided to check out Butler Fork today. It is still very scrappy up there throughout most of the drainage, with substantial deadfall and exposed brush just about everywhere. Butler Basin looks like it's filling in quite nicely, but it's lower reaches remain guarded by the aforementioned hazards.
While it was difficult to manage any meaningful downhill riding today, it did make for a scenic early season jaunt in the hills.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates