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Observation: Days Fork

Observation Date
2/16/2013
Observer Name
Andrews
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
Days Fork LCC to BCC
Weather
Sky
Clear
Weather Comments
Warm, sunny day with minimal wind only in the morning.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
We skied many aspects from NW to NE. The surface snow on these aspects was dense powder. A shallow (3-4 foot) snow pit around 10,000 feet on NW aspect, 38 degree slope demonstrated a consolidated layer on top about 1 foot deep on top of another consolidated layer about 2 feet deep. A different slope that was NE in aspect, about 10,000 feet, and 35 degrees gave a large whumph and a shooting crack on ascent. No snow movement. We stopped climbing immediately and descended one at a time. We were in the center of Banana Days below the cliffs. We had no snow movement except for some surface slough on steeper slopes (around 40). We did back off of the top of a steep slope at the top of Days Draw near the entrance to B&H couloir. It looked like a little wind pillow at the top and although that ridge line didn't seem particularly wind loaded, we didn't want to take any chances.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Rapid Warming