Sign Up for the Utah Snow and Avalanche Workshop (USAW) on December 7th!

Observation: Guardsman Pass area

Observation Date
12/1/2023
Observer Name
Dylan Beckley
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Guardsman Pass area
Location Name or Route
Guardsman Pass (Picnic tree)
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
A quote to sum up the integrity of the snow pack by the one and only Will Ambler is "a perfect poop sandwhich." Icey base covered with facets covered with snow from the last storm which is then covered by more facets with about 6 inches of new snow. Depth by picnic tree was about 2 feet at most. Snow was coming down harder through the early afternoon while winds were picking up. Was walking around in my boots and felt a collapse of the persistent weak layer about 2 feet wide. Still low tide up there, skied a slope < 30 degrees with no issues besides trees and shrubs poking out. Could see increased potential for new slides as all this new snow continues to add weight to the unstable pack.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
9,600'
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates