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Observation: Twin Lakes Pass

Observation Date
12/13/2023
Observer Name
Ambler & Marks
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Twin Lakes Pass
Location Name or Route
Twin Lakes Pass
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
Southeast
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
The winds were calm until we got up to the base of Black Bess where we observed some snow in gentle locomotion. At Twin Lakes pass winds were still fairly light but with occasional moderate gusts, scooping what was left to transport from the Brighton side. Loading and scouring could be seen around but no new avalanches were noticed by our party. Along the ridge towards Patsy Marley there was abundant evidence of recent wind deposited snow with large pillowy drifts, hollow slabs, and densely packed snow. Quite a different set of surface conditions than described in yesterday's ob. However in more sheltered terrain we were able to find still soft snow, although most of it in this area has been well traveled.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
The danger was easier to see on the surface today; with the wind affected snow it wouldn't be hard to imagine kicking off an avalanche in the right spot. Below the surface on the NW aspect where we dug there were still dry facets, weaker than the slab above.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
9,700'
Comments
we still found results with a compression test in the basal facet layer. This snow can be made into a snowball and the crystals "whisper" of rounding but really it still shows dissatisfying structure. After getting an ectx on this layer a gentle pry with the shovel sent all but the bottom ~10 cms sliding into the pit revealing a partially isolated column. The bottom crust layer is a pain to cut fully through with a knotted 3 mm cord. However the facet layer above the crust offered no reaction in either test.
Pictured below were weather conditions from today and a new pile of wind deposited snow.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates