Observation Date
2/9/2013
Observer Name
Willis Richardson
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
9990 to Roscoes
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Some sun was out all day but behind clouds. There was some shadowing during the day.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
3"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
There was a three inch ice crust from the south facing as I left 9990 and continue to across the saddle between 9990 and Square Top. The crust was below about 3 inches or so of fresh snow. There was no consistent snow across the Powder Park 1 area. The most powder which was very light was when I re-enter along Roscoes just outside the Canyons Boundary. The new snow depth was no more than 4 inches at the most and varied across the area. From the picture of me standing where I put on my skins, solid on one foot, 12 inches away right through the slab to the ground.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
The crust would crack in most areas no enough to support my weight. I skied a couple of 25 degree slopes and moved lower with great skiing. The 25 degree slopes did not have enough stability to support my weight through a turn, leg breaking crust.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
This new slab is thick about 3 inches and solid but inconsistent across an area. See my photo of thickness.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Slab with a increase amounts of snow with a very poor structure underneath will increase the danger of slopes approaching 30 degrees.
Comments
One of my photos is of a small slide directly above the Peak 5 chair. I took a photo from the top of Tombstone lift. I did not go over to examine the small slide. It could be a warning for the entire area. The slide lay between Python Chutes and Lunch Date on the ridge line just above the trees.I would be suspicious of heading up the ridge in order to get to the Park City ridge line from just looking at the small slide. It looks as if started from a rock outcropping on the slope.
