Observation Date
1/14/2024
Observer Name
Ambler
Region
Salt Lake » Parleys Canyon » East Canyon
Location Name or Route
Little Mountain
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Light to moderate wind moderate gusts. Evidence of previous heavy wind loading and scouring
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Variable new snow depth due to wind. Dense snow seemed to help keep us above the ground while still being soft enough to have fun riding. Noticeably heavier down lower (6k).
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Collapses were not widely observed today in this zone. Shooting cracks observed in wind loaded slopes directly adjacent to ridgeline, along with some smaller touchy cornices. No recent avalanches observed in this zone but the emigration slide comes to mind. PWL found on NE and SE where we dug.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Storm slab, wind slab both overloading buried facets being the concern. On southeast at 7k just off the ridgeline we dug in a wind loaded spot with 105 hs. 30cm of dense mf snow capped with a thin layer of small grain facets. Subtle density and grain changes within the new snow offered results in CT & ECT loaded from the wrist but without propagation. The results which stuck out were the ECTP23@30 and PST32/100END@30 in this SE facet layer.
Comments
Pictured below are some of the weak grains from SE 7K above the old mf junk. 1mm grid.
When we dug, around noon, rimed flakes and stellars were falling. Pictured above is a rimed stellar I thought was pretty photogenic. Generally low snow made up and downhill travel trying. Most of the snow on the ground seemed to be from this past week.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
