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Observation Date
12/22/2012
Observer Name
Jonathon Spitzer/AIARE Level 1
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
Park City Ridgeline (North side of No-Name)
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Winds varied during the day, with strong gusts at time.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Thin layer of surface hoar on shaded aspects
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Where we observed today the snowpack structure on the Park City Ridge was Poor and lots of wind loading.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Comments
Snow profile on a North facing aspect @ 9100ft in the No-Name area had an HS of 105cm. We observed the rain crust 65cm down from the surface with large loose faceted grains above and below the crust. We also found a very thin buried surface hoar layer 30cm down from the surface. The following results failed on the faceted grains Above the rain crust: CT 21 SP, ECTP 18 SP, RB 4 SP We did observe a tilt test and compression test that failed on the thin surface hoar layer 30cm down from the surface. Overall snowpack structure on the Park City Zone is much weaker and the persistent weak layers are lingering longer on this side of the range. Amazing the difference between the Cottonwood Canyons and the PC ridgeline. I normally don't do a Rutschblock Test, however with the current conditions it is such a good visual aid for the persistent slab problem in our snowpack. Attached is a video from our Rutschblock Test.
Video