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Observation: Park City Ridgeline

Observation Date
1/7/2014
Observer Name
C Brown
Region
Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline
Location Name or Route
Nutty Putty
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Had moderate winds along the PC ridgeline, with moderate snow transport. Light to moderate snowfall with very bad visability.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments

Couldn't really tell how much new snow had fallen due to the winds. Tried to pick a semi protected area to dig a pit but found the first 24 cm broken up storm particles. Probably a combination of the Jan 3-4 storm and this one. Snow skied well

Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Over half the snowpack is facet right now with a slab building on top of it. About 45 cm of storm and wind slab over about 70 cm of facets. Not very reactive in stability tests.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

The wind slabs are building. Not enough of a load today to seem create a problem.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Cornice
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments

I think the cornices will also start building with the winds.

Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
8,600'
Slope Angle
28°
Comments

Saw a descent amount of blowing snow today.

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