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Observation: Moonlight

Observation Date
3/21/2022
Observer Name
L. Dunn
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Mineral Fork » Moonlight
Location Name or Route
BCC>Mineral Fork>Moonlight
Weather
Sky
Clear
Weather Comments
A beautiful bluebird morning, a few puffy cumulus in the afternoon, it stayed cold enough that the snow on the non-solar slopes remained cold and dry.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
5"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
The snow on the slopes on the north half of the compass remained cold and dry and the skiing was excellent. The snow on the south half of the compass took a beating later in the day. The underlying surface on the north half was spongy enough to make the 5" ski like deeper snow, while just the opposite was true on the solar slopes. No pit, but numerous penetrations with my upside down ski pole. The snow is weak at least 4 feet down (as far as my pole), it doesn't feel like an ordinary spring snowpack, the snow is not consolidated like it should be in late March. The weak snow and the impressive pile of avalanche debris at the bottom of Barrieto were constant reminders to be conservative in route selection and slope angle.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Red Flags Comments
There were numerous point releases near the rocks along Santiago Ridge. Most of the debris had about an inch of snow on it, so it likely occurred yesterday near the end of the storm. Otherwise we saw no signs of activity, we saw no settlement or cracking, even when we skied steeper break overs. Given how weak the snow feels with pole penetrations/hasty pits, it's a bit surprising we did not get some collapsing.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None