Observation Date
12/6/2012
Observer Name
Glew
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Wolverine Cirque
Location Name or Route
Wolverine Cirque
Seems to be a fairly stable snow pack. In the past two days I've been out, I've found the depth hoar to be wet. The mid snow pack buried surface hoar is the only reactive layer, but is breaking Q3 and is stubborn. Maybe with some more water weight this layer will become reactive. The warm temperatures have helped to strengthen the snow somewhat. Still not a confidence inspiring snow pack if more water weight is added. Being able to easily punch your pole to the bottom of the snow pack in most spots makes me wonder what will happen when it snows more.
FORECASTER NOTE: AS WE KNOW WHAT GRAINS TODD IS REFERRING TO AS DEPTH HOAR, I WOULD GUESS THEY ARE NOT ACTUALLY DEPTH HOAR CRYSTALS PER SE. DEPTH HOAR IS A TERM THAT'S USED FAIRLY LOOSELY HERE IN THE WASATCH. IT'S HARD TO FIND A REAL GOOD DEFINITION BUT FROM TALKING WITH VARIOUS OTHER SNOW PROFESSIONALS AND FROM SOME OLDER AVALANCHE HANDBOOKS, HERE'S WHAT I SUBMIT AS A LOOSE DEFINITION:
ADVANCED FACETED GRAINS NEAR THE BASE OF THE SNOWPACK.
STRIATED GRAINS USUALLY VISIBLE WITH THE NAKED EYE. UNDER MAGNIFICATION THEY APPEAR AS ASSORTED PRISMS, CUPS AND PYRAMIDS.
5-8MM IN SIZE. KOBERNIK
Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates