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Observation: Salt Lake

Observation Date
2/8/2013
Observer Name
Hardesty
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
Butler East to Wilson and out Bonus Bowl to Mill Creek
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
System moved in roughly 130pm...partly cloudy prior to that....Semi-protected from the winds; though noted along Mill/BCC ridgeline. Perhaps tr-2" while out in the afternoon. Precip intensity and winds not remarkable...
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Melt-Freeze Crust
Rain-Rime Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

Mostly supportable melt freeze on steeper southerly aspects to approach Mill/BCC ridgeline. Soft settled powder noted in sheltered northerly terrain. Jan 30 rime (1-2mm - variable) noted under a couple inches of snow above Mill Creek, with a skiff of weak snow beneath.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
ECTs performed at 9000' level - northerly - were inconsistent - ECTN and ECTPV with isolation. This noted along top of Bonus Bowl where wind affected. Photo below. No collapsing or cracking. With inconsistent results, chose sub 35 degree terrain to continue into the bowl and into Mill Creek.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Problem #1 Comments

See above. January facets seemingly asleep again; let's see how much wind and snow comes this weekend to spice things up. Will approach well documented persistent slab terrain with caution for the first few days. Static photo shows dramatic difference in slab texture/color/grain size and January faceted layer below.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Problem #2 Comments

Some longer running sluffs from the new snow running in steepest northerly terrain with ski cuts...

Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
9,000'
Comments

1st video is a look at Scary Gulley in Butler East of BCC.

2nd is a take on old snow surface conditions and bonding potential with new snow

3rd is pawing down to look at the old January weaknesses in Wilson Glade. My recommendation with snowpits is to know what you're looking for, have an opinion on the structure and stability, and dig when you have questions to answer. Many pole tests and pawing exercises (just to determine local structure) are waaaaayyyy preferable to standing around in a pit all day with thermometers, density kits, tongue depressors, lenses, and ram penetrometers. Always go back to the red flags - recent slides? cracking? collapsing? Then, absent these, pull out the shovel, ski pole, probe.....get in...get out. ECTs performed in upper Bonus Bowl.

Video
Video
Video
Coordinates