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Observation: Cardiff Fork

Observation Date
1/30/2023
Observer Name
Hardesty, Little, Hoffman, Kuehn
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Cardiff Fork
Location Name or Route
Alta - Cardiff Fork
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Cold
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
8"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Solars will be crusted Tuesday morning with another round of presumably RR above this crust. New low density snow will begin recrystallizing with clear/cold. Evenly spaced 8mm evergreen trees of SH noted on our exit from Cardiff Pass back to Alta.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Avalanche pattern now seems to favor facet/crust combos on "off" aspects: SE>S>W. These are more of an exception than the rule: many off aspects have been skiied/ridden with no event. We experienced no cracking or collapsing.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
New snow failing on facet/crust combos should remain a consideration on steep solar aspects for another day or two, depending on solar input, rapid warming, and/or wind.
The structure and today's avalanche noted off the Flagstaff ridge into Toledo best described by Zack Little HERE>. Tests on solars produced inconsistent results adjacent to a buried crust and/or crust/facet/crust sandwich but tests take the backseat to avalanche activity.
*Tests on northerly aspects conveyed healing weaknesses from the prior days.
Photo of skier triggered avalanche below. Appears that the skier ended up around a tree and then skiied off without incident.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
Size 1 new snow loose dry and loose wet sluffs noted in the steepest terrain.
Cornices remain large and a significant hazard.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates