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Observation: Salt Lake

Observation Date
12/18/2020
Observer Name
CBrown
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
Mill D South
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
On and off snow squalls through the day, never more than S2, didn't accumulate to much. Almost now wind noticed all day, slight westerlies. Almost saw the sun, but didn't come out long enough to affect any snow I touched today. Cool temps
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
New snow was medium density, compared to last weeks storms. Skied and felt right-side up.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Many remote triggers from up to about 100 meters away starting at 8,800' & up. Any little roll would remote if gotten close to it. Mainly N-E Many of the upper NE-E facing shots from Ivory to Deep Pockets or Catchers Mitt had naturaled most likely last night during peak instability/precip. Some more recent naturals or remote triggers in the Ivory area. 9,900' NE Intermediate ridge, HS 100cm, 50cm slab above 3-4cm of FCsf ECTN8 (outlier/unreliable results? given what else I saw/experienced). Slab was not quite cohesive enough to translate the failure across the column, unfortunately didn't have time to perform another test. Regardless of test the signs were obvious, unstable snow.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Very touchy today, remote triggers from good distance. Remote triggers connecting across to other opposite side of gullies (NE across gully to NW facing side). Larger ones up to size 1.5-2 Interesting connectivity. Most seemed >8,800' N-E.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Noticed some natural small dry loose in steep terrain.
Comments
Margins need to be appropriate right now, not much room for mistakes/miscalculations where I was today. Route finding, terrain management and choosing to be on appropriate terrain and not on/under avalanche slopes is imperative. Exciting day to be in the mountains. Stay safe.
Pictures:
Deep Pockets? Chutes and ladders? from summer trail
Some impressive (small) remote triggers 2 pictures
Recent remote or natural above Montreal Hill
Today's Observed Danger Rating
High
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates