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Observation: Back Bowls

Observation Date
2/6/2013
Observer Name
Keith Stebbings, Kimbrough
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
Brighton Periphery, Wolverine back bowls
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Occluded skies at 9am, blue bird by noon. Bit of a nip with wind early but afternoon sun beginning to feel springlike.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
NW -> N aspects varied from firm wind board to soft loose in sheltered/shaded areas. SSE aspects softening from the warmth to the extent possible above a sun crust where dampness was evident. Tom astutely observed ski PEN = not much.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
We continue to be amazed at the poor structure particularly under the most recent storm cycle snows.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
We were persistent at looking for this persistent weak layer in our travels today covering NW -> N-> SE aspects (9400' - 10K). Jury is split on our test scores. Fairly consistent ECTN moderates and CT moderates under the wind slab/ wind crust where present. ECTN to ECTX, and CT low moderate to inconclusive in the January facet layer. We just don't know what to make of it. The structure is crappy. Perhaps the slab above the facet layer wasn't quite stiff enuf in our test samples but we'll tell 'ya we are worried about the upcoming forecasted storm on Friday and it's loading prospects.
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
9,500'
Slope Angle
37°
Comments
Composite snowprofile from numerous pits NW -> N aspects from 9400' to 10K.
My partners for the day showing the background of our analysis terrain. Of special note we found a sensitive thin faceted weakness about 30cm down residing ON TOP of a stout 10cm suncrust at our feet in this photo (SSE aspect at about 9400'). Quite disturbingly, loose facets existed below this crust but we couldn't get any positive test results failing below the stout crust where we anticipated we would. Might be worth caution during next storm or significant warming.
We performed a pile of these looking specifically at thin snowpack areas.