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

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

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