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Observation: Bear Trap

Observation Date
12/3/2023
Observer Name
Beej
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Bear Trap
Location Name or Route
Bear trap fork
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
All shady aspects and northerly aspects.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
36" of upside down snow sitting on top of bad snow
Snow Profile
Aspect
West
Elevation
9,300'
Comments
At the base of bear trap west and the glades we found 36" of new inverted snow sitting on top of garbage facets on the ground. Friday nights storm was cold and this storm was much warmer and led to us just turn around. Cracking and collapsing all along the gulley on all aspects and cracking and woompfing most steps along the skinner. Bear trap west seemed the safer bet but it's still very twiggy. We just called it and decided on getting some wings instead. Lower part of bear trap fork was very low tide and the logs under the snow were very sketchy to navigate down.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
High
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High