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Observation: Patsy Marly

Observation Date
11/17/2024
Observer Name
Ryan Shea
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Grizzly Gulch » Patsy Marly
Location Name or Route
Twin Lakes Pass & Patsey Marley
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Crusts, Facets and some wind skins on top
Dug a pit at 10K, on a NE 31 degree slope twin lakes pass. It failed ECTN 13 on crust 15 cm above ground. Also found facets below that crust and another very solid crust at ground level. Snow depth just below ridge was 60cm
No propagation noted, likely due to crust decomposing
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
some significant wind loading noted below ridges w NE facing
Snow Profile
Elevation
10,000'
Comments
Toured up Grizzly Gulch to Twin Lakes Pass to Patsey Marley. Biggest hazzard as mentioned on many reports was the rocks, many hidden just below the surface the entire tour.
60 cm of snow found just below twin lakes pass ridgeline on NE aspect at 10k and a 31 degrees slope. test was ECTN 13, very little propagation.
increased elevation showed depths of 75cm and increasing slabbiness as we go into Patsey Bowl. Also noticed hollowness in rock guardsman and much greater faceting up to 10.5K.
Had a few good turns in Patsey but mostly hidden rocks the were almost inevitably going to make someone's day bad. Be careful, those sharks are hungry and bite.
Shit sandwich snow pack continues on northern aspects, wind scoured on south aspects and suspect setup for when we get some bigger storms.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low
Coordinates