Observation: Brighton Perimeter

Observation Date
2/9/2013
Observer Name
Paradis / Brackelsberg / Francis
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
Brighton Periphery
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Weather Comments
Clear first thing in the morning, then increasing high coulds, then snow by the afternoon. Not very windy at all.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
1"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

We primarily skied before noon so there wasn't much more than a dusting in most places. There were some small wind drifts at higher elevation but they were not an issue with so little new snow. Most aspects had some form of a crust that was largely supportable on skis.

The strength of the crust was spatially variable - in open areas it was strong which made edging and skinning difficult. In more protected trees the crust was weaker and could be broken by the weight of a person which was beneficial when skinning. It was also weaker in thinner areas near like near ridgelines.

On one steep NW facing slope, the new snow also sluffed easily. With additional snow, loose snow avalanches are possible tomorrow.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
This was the first pit this year on a south facing slope and we were suprised by how poor the snow structure was here. 4 of 5 lemons were present. The upper 50cms of snow pack in this location facet crust sandwich of roughly 4F. This "slab" sits on a very hard crust that caps about 30cms of weak Fist plus facets.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Problem #1 Comments

See above.

Our pit results reflect the poor snow structure. Both CT and ECT failed cleanly on small facets below a nearly knife hard crust roughly 50 cms down.