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Observation Date
1/11/2013
Observer Name
Kobernik
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
Alta, Days, Spruces
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Periods of light snow not really adding any additional accumulation. Winds were a bit breezier than expected but only into the slightly annoying range at times along the ridgetops. COLD!!
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
8"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
Wind had stiffened the new snow up a bit. This was probably not a bad thing as the higher density snow probably kept us off the old harder snow surfaces better than low density fluff would have. Some areas drifted closer to a foot deep.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
While the wind had definitely affected the new snow and was drifting it a bit, it was not exceptionally sensitive. We kicked numerous medium sized cornices with no results below.
Comments

Overall a MODERATE danger held well for Days Fork. Traveled through Two Dogs, Main Days, and Days Draw. Ski cuts were not producing anything significant. The old snow surface in the upper elevations consists of various wind crusts. These are not susceptible to any collapsing with the smaller amount of new snow we received. I did not come across any areas where I noticed the recent rime crust but it is something to continue to look for. The rime crusts have capped off faceted snow that's formed over the last two weeks. The combo of a rime crust capping facets WITH a fresh wind load is probably the biggest concern for Saturday.