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Observation: Cardiff Fork

Observation Date
12/27/2020
Observer Name
CBrown
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Cardiff Fork
Location Name or Route
Mill D South
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
CLR-FEW sky to start the day. Beautiful sunny morning with nice fresh coat of paint on the mountains (albeit thin) No wind noticed where traveled today, all the trees still had beautiful light density snow on them from yesterday/last night. Observed few bits of clouds clearing over LCC/BCC ridgeline, possibly a little blowing snow up there.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
3"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Up to about 3-4" of new light density snow observed today, really helped the low angle skiing. Noted a little graupel mixed in to new snow, but not consistent amount. Good supportable powder skiing to be had.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Still experiencing large rolling thunder collapses. Some were even in old skin track. Poor structure remains. Dug a pit in a very similar location to 12/24, 9,700 E below High Ivory, HS 85-100cm, CTM11 SC down 45 cm on the 20201211 FCsf layer that has seen all the action, ECTP 14 same layer. ECTN11 down 20cm on FC above the PPrm that was buried 20201222, hopefully not a problem going forward, but I will continue tracking for the meantime. Results from almost same location on 12/24 HS 78cm, ECTP18 down 40cm, FCsf.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Problem persists. I have not been able to rule out the W, SW, SE aspects yet.
Comments
No new wind slab observed today, traveled in mostly protected areas though.
1st & 2nd Picture of ECT/pit, upper line is the PPrm down ~20cm, second line/fracture is the failure down 45cm on the 20201211 FCsf.
3rd picture the PPrm buried ~20cm down.
I do think the considerable rating is still warranted due to the widespread/stubborn nature=possible and potential of up to size 3. Lack of natural activity and max size possible being size 2 would start to suggest moderate. After seeing the Days Fork activity and the booming collapses/connectivity of the slab I think size 3 are possible.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates