Observation: Gobblers Knob

Observation Date
1/7/2014
Observer Name
Jake Hutchinson
Region
Salt Lake » Mill Creek Canyon » Porter Fork » Gobblers Knob
Location Name or Route
Butler Fork to Gobblers
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Wind on summit ridge of Gobblers was mod/strong, lots of snow moving around and new cornices rapidly forming
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Density
Low
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
No cracking or collapsing in new wind drifts but things were loading quickly. primarily on the side with no snow...
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #1 Comments

Small wind slabs and fresh cornice forming on East through South aspects around 2 PM

Didn't dig any pits or do any formal stability tests, but the snow here was very different than what I've been looking at on PC ridge all week. Slab is rotting or completely gone in most locations - facets top to bottom. I skied one run in main gobblers then back to butler fork exit - which is difficult and thin to say the least. A few pics - bad news for your snowpack when the moose are still grazing at 9500' in January. Cornice forming and wind loading on upper ridge of gobblers. Skis didn't bottom out today, but I was skiing pretty light on my feet.

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