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Observation: Porter Fork

Observation Date
12/31/2021
Observer Name
Zimmerman-Wall/Hargrave
Region
Salt Lake » Mill Creek Canyon » Porter Fork
Location Name or Route
Porter Fork
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Light snowfall on and off all day. Increase in rate for short period of time around noon. Visibility was good in the AM, but decreased by 12pm with passing squall. Light winds with a few gusts to moderate.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
High quality Utah blower. The overnight storm and morning squalls put about 8" at the trailhead, with about 10-12" in favored locations of middle Porter Fork and more specifically Pole Canyon. The HS varied from about 70cm at 6000', on up to 100cm at 8300'. Features are beginning to fill in and become skiable Below Treeline. No formal profiles, but it was hard to find any really weak snow at or just above the ground on NW facing slopes from 6K to 8K. Did not venture above 8300'.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Red Flags Comments
Upper Porter headwalls had evidence of avalanche activity.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
This is for area travelled. Storm snow was low density and would sluff easily on steep slopes. It would entrain snow as long as slope angle was consistent.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
This is for area viewed from a distance. Upper slopes of Porter fork such as the Raymond Slabs and looker's right flank of The Ice Box had evidence of slab avalanches up to 100' wide that may have run during the storm. The ridge above Sox's had lots of medium sized cornices. Both slides looked like they slid on rocky surfaces but could not determine the failure plane.
Comments
Photo 1: Raymond Slabs Slide crown drawn in due to poor contrast
Photo 2: The Ice Box Slide crown drawn in due to poor contrast
Photo 3: Baker Pass and Main Gobbler's general coverage
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates