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Observation: Powder Park

Observation Date
1/13/2024
Observer Name
Sam Kapacinskas
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Mill D North » Powder Park
Location Name or Route
Powder Park 1
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Heavy wind loading with winds out of the WSW observed between 7am-1pm. Lots of collapsing both when breaking trail and when heading back up on the skinner.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #1 Comments
Lots of collapsing and whoompfing all day today. In the meadows, on the ridgeline, breaking trail, 2nd & 3rd time up skin tracks. No surprise here. With the next round of snow/swe on the way keep building in extra, extra wide margins when traveling in the backcountry.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Problem #2 Comments
Lots of wind out of the WSW at the ridgeline rapidly loading bith the N side of Sheep Shit Ridge & Red Rock Chutes. It appeared that Red Rock Chutes may have also slid from the wind loading but couldn't get close enough to see with cornices growing on the ridge and low visibility. There did appear to be some exposed rocks.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
High
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Extreme
Coordinates