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Observation: Grizzly Gulch

Observation Date
12/14/2013
Observer Name
J. Spitzer
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Grizzly Gulch
Location Name or Route
Grizzly Gulch
Weather
Sky
Few
Weather Comments
Valley Fog that cleared out around 1pm. Thin high clouds today.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

The snow surface varied greatly with aspect. On Solar aspect a combination of M/F crust and wind crust is the common theme. On shaded Northerly aspects we found some surface hoar formation.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Problem #1 Comments

The lingering white dragon of the Wasatch still persistent in our snowpack. Steep, rocky, unsupported slopes on Northerly aspects at the upper elevation still have this persistent issues.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
9,200'
Slope Angle
28°
Comments

The Wasatch snow pack varies greatly with aspect and elevation. Within 100 ft we dug 3 snow profiles in an untracked protected slope. We found a wide variety of results within our snow profiles today. Generally speaking: the snow pack structure is still poor, with two main layers of concern (the facets near the ground, and a layer in the mid pack).

All of our test results failed on the faceted snow grain layer near the ground. CT- 22 RP, ECT 12 SC, RB 4 SC

Forecaster note: The Canadian fracture character rating RP compares with a Shear Quality of Q2; SC compares with Shear Quality of Q1.

Attached is a video of one of our A+ students performing an ECTP-12

This course was taught by Utah Mountain Adventures

Video

Side Note. Please fill in your snow profiles in the backcountry as we don't want to ski or ride into them. Thanks!

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