Observation Date
3/30/2013
Observer Name
Primomo/Ben Kotlarek
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
West Monitor
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Weather Comments
Clear in the AM, with cumulus building as the morning progressed.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Decent surface re-freeze with the clear skies.
Red Flags Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
An interesting find was the dust layer that is starting to come out that was buried around 3/22. A few slabs from around 3/23 had run on on this interface and was finding that the layer was heating up quite fast compared to the snow above it. There was also a noticeable ice lens formed above and below the dusty wet grains. While going in to check out the crown, was easily able to kick off some hang fire.
The wet slab in the center of the bowl from the mid March warmup we found to have ran on the January facets.
We were off East by 945, and off South by 11. Wouldn't want to ski much later than that.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Cornice
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Cornices were dripping and shedding little pieces of snow.
Comments
Photo 1: Closeup of crown after kicking off some hangfire on dust layer.
Photo 2: View of dust layer as bed surface.
Photo 3: Old slide from 3/23, with dust layer coming out on bed surface.
Photo 4: The snow fleas were out.
