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Observation Date
1/1/2014
Observer Name
Hardesty, Wilson, Thomas, Terwilliger
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Cardiff Fork
Location Name or Route
Our Lady of the Snows into Cardiff and back
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Smooth rounded soft and hard slabs noted though none reactive in our travels except for one*. Northwest wind transporting snow at mid and upper elevations...
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

Best to avoid asking a fisherman how many fish they've caught; rather...ask, "How's the fishin'?" Answer's always the same - "Always good"...(whether there's been any catchin' or not).

Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

Well described. Low probability high consequence.

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

Plenty of new drifting in both usual and semi-odd places; Photos of drifting

Comments

Just a few bites on the line - here mid elevation easterly aspect from terrain channeling - the UDOT LCC test slope half-way to Cardiff Pass. 2-3" soft slabs maybe 4' wide.

Regardless of the overall danger rating (yellow and green for today), I've never had much interest in walking up Superior. Still, that's me - we all have our inherent levels of acceptable risk. Guess if you had your mind set on it, today's not the worst choice. (These guys likely headed to Country Lane/Suicide Chute...or just the lower aprons.)

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