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Observation: Reynolds Peak

Observation Date
4/14/2013
Observer Name
Bruce Tremper
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
Quick trip to Reynolds Peak
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
We decided on a quick trip to Reynolds to look around before the storm and partially to take more photos of Kessler Peak from a different angle for the avalanche fatality report. Weather was variable clouds but mostly clear, cold and moderate winds.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
3"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

Dust on crust in most locations. There was about 3 inches of dense new snow at upper elevations but not much at lower elevations. At upper elevations, some of the older, wind-drifted snow was still in place on the north through east facing slopes. The riding conditions were actually not too bad with some creamy new snow on a supportable crust. Hardly anyone out. Our car was the only one in the Spruces parking lot in the mid afternoon. There is very little snow left on south facing slopes below about 8,000'.

Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Problem #1 Comments

Not much avalanche danger. I was a little cautious of the lingering wind deposits in the upper, east facing Reynolds Peak because they looked fat in places. As is my usual habit, my wife and I are very cautious and we chose to slip down the south ridge to the mighty Tom's Hill, which I have not skied in probably 20 years because it never avalanches (boring!). It was nice to have the only tracks in there and do big GS turns.

As the new snow accumulates along with the usual wind, we will need to pay careful attention to the storm snow this week, both as it accumulates and afterwards when it warms up.