Observation: Cardiff Fork

Observation Date
3/4/2013
Observer Name
White, Kobernik
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
Cardiff Fork
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Stong NW winds in the morning subsiding in the afternoon.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
9"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments

Snow was medium density with a nice layer of graupel on top. Bonded fairly well to the old surface except in steeper terrain with a slick crust as a bed surface.

Comments

Travel today was the Key hole entry into Cardiff Fork, Cardiac Ridge, LSB NE facing, High Ivory. The only instabilities noted today were shallow wind slabs on the highest E facing Ridges, easily manageable with ski cuts and avoidance. Knocked a small wind slab out while breaking trail up Cardiac Ridge, right at the top, made us keep wind slabs in the back of our minds, next run went to the top of the Ridge and knocked out a much larger wind slab which I put into the avalanche list with the info about it. Pics wind in the morning, sculpted wind dunes on the N facing in Cardiff, small pocket I released while breaking trail.