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Observation: Big Water

Observation Date
1/6/2023
Observer Name
Hardesty and Wilson
Region
Salt Lake » Mill Creek Canyon » Big Water
Location Name or Route
Big Water
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Travel was Spruces>Lees Fork>Reynolds>Big Water and return.
Upside down and punchy; graupel and rimed precip particles to finish the storm.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Red Flags Comments
We did not experience any cracking or collapsing.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
New snow soft slabs and loose dry seemed to be the more problematic issues of the day...as noted in observations. We did not see any in our travels other than minor cracking around skis.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
HS at 8500' NE was 190-200cm. THIS is a lot of snow for this elevation in Mill Creek. November facets are rounding and trending 4F+.... and buried 150cm.
Looking for any possible mid-pack PWL and found no evidence of this.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates