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Observation: Park City Ridgeline

Observation Date
12/17/2022
Observer Name
Paradis / Brackelsberg
Region
Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline
Location Name or Route
Park City Ridgeline
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
South
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Just a little bit of wind first thing, then calm the rest of the day. Pretty chilly in the shade to start but warm in the sun, particularly when going up hill.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Snow was generally top notch but some areas of wind slabs noted along ridges. In some cases snow had been drifted into pretty large berms. These required a little caution since they were dense and often had a big drop on the other side.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Multiple red flags present but in many ways less obvious than they have been. We only noted a few small collapses for example. The snow structure at higher elevations is a little better than low elevations but facets/persistent weak layer is still present. Wind and lots of snow occurred just recently but the snow surface is so good, it is easy to forget.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
On the NW slope where we skied, there were two facet layers and several wind slabs but snow structure seemed better than say around 7500. The snow here seemed to have less energy. Propagation in snow pit tests was minimal.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
As noted above, very large wind drifts were created during the last storm. We also found pockety wind slabs along ridges that could avalanche.
Snow Profile
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates