Observation Date
12/29/2013
Observer Name
Jake Hutchinson
Region
Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline
Location Name or Route
Park City Ridgeline
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Calm
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Rain-Rime Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Widespread, well developed surface hoar now sitting on the rime crust, which is growing facets underneath - pic below - the crust is still variable but mostly skiable.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Still getting test scores in the ECTP20-24 range with sudden collapse fracture character. I did get one ECTX, but I think it's the outlier here. The snowpack is begging to be trusted but I'm just not buying it yet. I think the probability of triggering a slide is small, but they are almost certain to be high consequence events.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
1 finger slab overlying weakening facets, not much more to say, with the clear skies and thin pack it's not going to change. The slab seems "tired" not necessarily poised to snap and roar down the mountain but not dead yet. Will be interesting to see how the next storm affects things.
A few pics from today, showing the SH/crust/facet surface combo, the surface hoar and a few turns. Bumped the slope angel up to 36-37 degrees today with no collapsing, cracking etc. But feeling the need to ski "light" and be vigilant on an escape plan. Skiing was decent where the crust was non-existent or at least consistent.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
