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Observation: Maybird Gulch

Observation Date
1/1/2021
Observer Name
Jeremy Collett, Mike Wessler
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Maybird Gulch
Location Name or Route
Upper Maybird
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Digging on NE at 9700 with HS 121cm we found two layers of concern. From 70cm to the ground the snowpack consisted of 1-2mm facets that were 4F to 1F hard, and showed signs of rounding towards the ground. While this layer seems to have adjusted to the weight of the new snow, we still got propagation (ECTP30) at 70cm. The upper part of the snowpack showed signs of faceting, and tests showed easy fracturing at 100cm but no propagation.
See video below for ECT and PST if interested.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
9,700'
Comments
Beautiful day to escape the inversion and head up to upper Maybird. Temps were cold in the morning, warming to the low 20s, with clear skies and light wind out of the NE. The alpine looked like it had been pretty battered by winds, but skiing was still surprisingly good in sheltered areas and in the trees.
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate