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Observation Date
12/14/2012
Observer Name
J Harris
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
Superior & Monte Cristo Cirque
Weather
Sky
Broken
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2"
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
The dusting from 12/13 has formed sensitive soft slabs along exposed ridgelines. We triggered many 2-4" soft slabs on the leeward, north-facing side of the ridge as we moved along its crest. For the most part, these are too small to be hazardous, though in one spot a tiny soft slab stepped down into faceted snow in steep, rocky terrain.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Walking thought alpine terrain today, we found many areas of weak snow structure, especially across ridgeline start zones. Much of the ridge between Little Superior and Monte Cristo is blanketed by ~2 ft of faceted snow. In some places these 3mm grains are overlaid by a potpourri of new and old wind slabs. Chains of depth hoar extend below many of these slabs. While these slab-and-facet combos weren't easy to trigger today, I suspect that will change when an inch or two more water weight is added.