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

Observation: Argenta

Observation Date
12/16/2023
Observer Name
SH
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Kessler Peak » Argenta
Location Name or Route
BCC-Argenta
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Seems mostly dormant at the moment which tracks with the forecast, but still curious and happily running tests on this layer.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Normal Caution
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
Still plenty of rocks to hit out there
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
9,700'
Comments
Surface hoar abound (photo1) between 7k-8k, transitioning to small surface facets the higher you go. A couple groups had ridden greaseball in days prior with no visible signs of instability. Decided to perform an ECT and PST, since our PWL is located further than 100cms down.
I found a shallower spot to perform my ECT, that went from 130cm-110cm across 90cm, hoping to simulate a "trigger point" in the snowpack. I got ECTX in this pit.
For the PST, I had 130cm depth all the way up slope. For this test I got PST95/130 (END) @130 on the PWL, which is located above a pencil hard crust 20-25cms from the ground (photo 2 shows the depth hoar in our PWL).
Looking pretty stable in this area, but will continue to monitor the growing surface facets before any incoming storms.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low
Coordinates