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Observation: 10420

Observation Date
12/24/2013
Observer Name
Brandon Dodge
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » 10420
Location Name or Route
10420 West ridge (between Hidden Canyon and Gaurdsmans Pass
Weather
Sky
Broken
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northeast
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
The morning started out snowy and blowing. 2-3 inches of wind blown and grauple fell early. By 11 Am it was clear, sunny and calm winds
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

2-3 inches of grauple made for excellent turning conditions in low angle trees. still a mixed bag under the new snow creamy in spots and wind hammered in others

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Biggest red flag to me is always poor snowpack structure. Wind seemed to have effected a few areas along the ridge, although it was a short event. By early afternoon suface was becoming damp from solar radiation.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Problem #1 Comments

8-10 inches of advanced facets everywhere I dug. Weakest interfaced seems to be just below last week storm event. Although the facets lack any real bonding almost to the ground. Dirty layer from Nov becoming less evident where I dug. (photo 1)

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments

Slab is becoming harder and is thick enough to pack a punch. My ECT results were very low ECT 4 and ECT 12 with Q1 shears. They lacked the energy to fail drastically, however I was alone and in fairly benign terrain.

Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
10,100'
Slope Angle
32°

Side profile of ECT 12 Q1 failure. You can still see the large facets hanging from the bottom of the shear plain.

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