Observation Date
2/13/2021
Observer Name
Cbrown
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Mill D North
Location Name or Route
BCC, Mill D North
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Light winds noted along 9,000' ridge lines from SSW, S-1 to periods of S2, approaching S5 upon exit at 15:00. Warm wet temps.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Couldn't see much in the way of avalanche activity due to the low visibility. Cracking in new wind slabs/yesterdays wind slabs. Very little wind loading noted at 9k' ridges. Rapid loading of the snowpack. Quick pit at 8,700' N, HS 120cm, ECTP26 down 90cm on 20201211 FC/DH, CTM17 SP, ECTN down 45cm on FC (20210122?). Don't mistake hard/stubborn or no propagation for stability, as the PWL gets deeper and more protected by more snow and HS the ECT is starting to become the wrong test for this layer in many places. Strive to perform more PST's and find shallow/weak/trigger points to perform ECT's.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
The 20201211 PWL is now a deep slab problem, more unpredictable and extremely consequential. Given the variability I have seen in the HS within the drainages/slopes I still see this as a human triggered problem even in traditionally deeper areas. Also, don't forget about the repeater slopes that are all over the range where the pack is thinner.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
New storm slab and loose dry expect to be reactive to touchy. Any where there was a bit of wind will also have wind slab.
Comments
Noted considerable hazard in mid elevations out of the wind today, suspect different story up high today. With FX snow, I expect instability to peak tonight.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates
