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Observation Date
12/5/2012
Observer Name
Dave Kelly
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
Silver Fork-West Bowl
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Light to moderate snowfall throughout the day. During the time the pit was dug snowfall picked up. Very high density snow.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Higher elevation northerly aspects had creamy snow, that changed rapidly to cream on top of rain crust below about 9200 feet. At lower elevations it was easy to see where rain had percolated through the snowpack for a number of inches. The southerly facing slopes were very damp and thin with roller balls in steeper terrain. On the ridgeline above Davenport Hill on N-NE facing aspects cornices and wind slabs were very sensitive to ski cuts.
Comments
No signifigant results from ECT, although ST showed that with more weight the facets below the wind crust (47cm from ground) may cause a problem once more weight is added. Observed reactive wind slabs and cornice on the higher elevation N-NE facing slopes, and signifigant rain crust below about 9200 feet.
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