Observation: Brighton Perimeter

Observation Date
12/14/2013
Observer Name
Hardesty, UAC Avalanche 101 Class
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Brighton Perimeter
Location Name or Route
Brighton Perimeter
Weather
Weather Comments
"No weather." Slight sun crust on southerly aspects.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Faceted Loose
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

Quite good riding conditions.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Many of the different groups experienced cracking and collapsing in a 12-16" deep slab overlying the Thanksgiving faceted snow.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Problem #1 Comments

Cracking and collapsing tells the tale of concern for W>N>E above 9000' (perhaps a few pockets even lower?). Wide range of results with ECT tests with many showing full propagation with easy to moderate numbers of taps with same layering. Facets seem to be quite loose though slowly adjusting to the slab above. Top cm or two of slab now faceting with patches of surface hoar present.

I'd still avoid steeper northerly terrain. Inherent in the structure, these persistent slabs demonstrate what I'd call, poor "predictive behaviour". Avoidance or slopes less than 35 degrees seems the equalizer here.

Danger rating? Moderate likelihood, Considerable consequence.....

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate