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Observation: Butler Basin

Observation Date
1/1/2022
Observer Name
CBrown
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Butler Fork » Butler Basin
Location Name or Route
Butler Basin
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Cold and sunny, very light winded noted near the 9k-10k ridgeline.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
20"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Slightly inverted but still 5* skiing conditions. Slightest wind effect, wind pressed slab made for a slight inversion of the top 6" on souths. Solars did not appear to take any heat where traveled. Very deep trail breaking, even along the ridgelines
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Limited wind effect, slight cracking in the new snow. Lots of new snow. Did not note any natural activity on the BCC/Millcreek ridge-line where traveled.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Remains until proven innocent
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
None reactive on south slopes ~35-37*. Pleanty of AST.
Comments
Photos 1-4 of activity in Butler Basin. P Slab avalanche in the middle E ridge of Butler Basin, probably happened during peak loading 12/31? Looked deep enough to be on PWL and a couple hundred feet wide. 4th picture hard to see but deep avalanche on PWL (looked to be little more filled in than the one above), in the corner pocket (east 9,800') upper Butler basin.
1st picture of the avalanches reported on Gods Lawnmower. 2nd picture out towards SLC Twins, showing active wind transport on the highest ridges.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates