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Observation: Powder Park

Observation Date
12/4/2023
Observer Name
Barltrop, Brunhoeber
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Mill D North » Powder Park
Location Name or Route
Mill D- PP3
Red Flags
Red Flags
Collapsing
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Lots of collapsing noted as we toured out to the top of Powder Park 3 when stepping off the skin track.
Snow pit:
Elevation 9125
Aspect N
Slope Angle 32
Snow depth 90 cm- Mostly uniform F strength down to 30 CM. Strength F+/4 down to 20 cm. Facets from 20 cm to the ground- large and starting to round. No notable crust layers.
CT 13: failed around 25 cm
ECTP 18: again failed around 25 cm at top of facet layer. Cohesive soft slab.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Problem #2 Comments
Air temps were warm around 35F degrees throughout the morning. Snow was becoming sticky/wet on the out-track around 10:30 am. Noticed several loose, wet slides on the drive down BCC on the southerly aspects running down to and partially on the road- new since our drive up at 7:30 am.
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
9,100'
Today's Observed Danger Rating
High
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates