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Observation: Gobblers

Observation Date
12/26/2013
Observer Name
Wilson, Wilson, Hardesty
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Mill Creek Canyon » Mill A » Butler Fork » Gobblers
Location Name or Route
Gobbler's Knob
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Very light high clouds built throughout a warm day with negligible winds.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Rain-Rime Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Snow quite variable by elevation, aspect and cover. Damp conditions with roller balls characterized South and through Southwest aspects at low elevations, while the same aspects at higher elevations--ie along the Mill A south shoulder of Raymond--had melt-freeze crusts that gave way to dense loose snow under tree cover. Ridges themselves had seen some sun and wind damage, with wafer thin rime crusts and wind pillows evident but not pervasive. Dense loose conditions on West through North slopes provided the much beloved "creamy" graupel skiing to those in the backcountry today.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
We expected collapsing but the snowpack failed to verify! Loose faceted layer near ground continues to provide effective weak layer with avalanching potential. Punchy wet conditions at low elevation south facing could support minor wet avalanching.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Snow on WNW aspect of Gobblers shoulder shows extensive loose facets within 20 cm of the ground surface, on which a 55 cm slab sits. Below 4cm of loose snow on the surface, a rhyme layer tops otherwise consolidated older snow, with a subtle weak layer 15 cm below the surface. ECT 14 Q1, sliding 55 cm deep on November facets. Another ECT on a similar aspect as slightly lower elevation gave negative results. Elsewhere, along the south Raymond shoulder, northerly aspects held 70cm of snow with various weaknesses from early and late November but with little slab above. Extensive testing of snowpack conditions here provided confidence for entry of the northerly facing slope. Seemed similar to higher/up-canyon snowpack prior to last week's storm.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
If warm temperatures continue to soften snow on low elevation S and SW slopes, travelers in that terrain should take caution of wet avalanches on steep terrain associated with terrain traps.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None