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Observation: Mineral Fork

Observation Date
3/4/2024
Observer Name
Jacob Miller
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Mineral Fork
Location Name or Route
Lower East Facing Mineral
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
We went out today looking to see how the new snow was bonding to the old snow, especially with the graupel that fell at the start of the storm. In my pit I found a grauple layer 3 cm think under 24 cm of new snow. The Graupel is right above the dust layer before the storm. This layer Failed on an ECTN17 but did not propagate.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
On the approach to mineral fork snow on the western slopes was wind affected with alot of variability. There was a small 1cm thick crust in some spots and in others wind scored down to the melt freeze crust. We did not find significant signs of wind loading on the east facing slope we skied but there was evidence that there had been strong winds.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
8,100'
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates