Observation Date
12/21/2012
Observer Name
Matt Primomo/Todd Glew
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
Gobblers Knob/Raymond
Comments
Dug a number of pits on similar elevations, but various aspects in the area to try and get a grip on the snowpack here. The following are the results. HS ranged from 50cm to 120cm-
At 9400' on SE below Gobblers on a 30 degree slope: On top of rain crust 40cm down, CT14 Q2 (RP), PST 65/100 (End). Failure on 1mm moist facets.
At 9300' on E below the pass between the two peaks on a 31 degree slope: On top of slick rain crust 50cm down, CT14 Q2 (RP), PST 40/100 (End). Failures were on 1.5mm dry facets.
At 9200' on N off Raymond E Ridge on 26 degree slope: Below thin upper rain crust on 1.5mm facets 75cm down, CT15 Q1 (SP), ECTP 22, and PST 30/100 (End).
The snowpack structure is weak and variable on all aspects at the low 9000' elevations in the area. It is apparent by looking at the PST scores that the facet/crust combo is persisting on shaded aspects. This weakness continues to produce clean, planar shears and has propagation potential.
First Photo shows cornice on S aspect, previously formed by N'ly winds but now being eroded by S'ly winds.
Second Photo shows debris from an older (17th wind event?) avalanche that took a large Limber Pine snag with it. The debris ran roughly 300m linear below the summer trail. This was one path West of the "White Snake", on S aspect off Gobblers.
