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Observation: Cardiff Fork

Observation Date
11/24/2024
Observer Name
ZL
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Cardiff Fork
Location Name or Route
Cardiff fork
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Snow Profile
Elevation
9,000'
Comments
Today we traveled predominantly on N, W, and NW aspects between 7400' and 9600', finding poor structure pretty much everywhere we went. The new snow was relatively light and with little wind effect where we traveled. Above 9500' we had an average HS of 40-50cm on the aspects mentioned above. Collapses underfoot were common but never traveled far. It seemed like the new snow bonded fairly well with the old interface, but this old interface (around 14cm beneath the surface)is a mix of crust and small grain facets. In places where the wind had impacted the new snow during the storm, this new/old interface bond was much weaker, and it was easier to find results in a pit. We managed to find a pocket of wind deposited snow in an isolated terrain feature (NW 9400') which produced a very small avalanche, failing on this interface. see picture.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates