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Observation: Park City Ridgeline

Observation Date
3/19/2013
Observer Name
Willis Richardson
Region
Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline
Location Name or Route
Park City Ridge Line 9990 back to Canyons via Roscos.
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Intense sun with cool breeze.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
3"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Snow pack was solid on south facing slopes with creamy layer of 2 to 3 inches. Window washer turns. Across the area snow was soft then ice crust on the surface snow was stable and no collapsing in the area of Little Water Peak all aspects. Slopes skied were 20 to 30 degrees. North facing slopes with settled powder 4 to 6 inches deep.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
Increase warming would probably create more wet avalanches. See photos from Canyons Side Country.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
See photos. Wet avalanches may diminish with cooling and fresh snow.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
If temperatures decrease wet slides will decrease. Not sure of stability of east and north facing slopes on Park City Ridge Line.
Comments
Photos of Canyons Side Country.
First photo of South Square Chutes and Hanging Snow Field. Both are East and East North East between 32 and 42 degrees. Second photo shows starting zones both close to the ridge line. Third photo is a small slide off Little Water Peak north facing. I believe it was a small cornice collapse. Fourth photo is of Mr. Reynolds east facing. The slide was small about 1230 and again slide about 2 pm with larger debris pile. There were other slides in Cardiff Fork toward the north aspect but I was unable to get a close photo. There were a number of ski tracks on the southern most end of the valley both north and east facing. The fifth photo is Corn Bowl East South East facing. Photos of the Canyons Back Country were taken from the top of the Tombstone lift and the backside of 9990. Other photos were taken from the Little Water Peak area. Photos were enhanced to outline slides.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates