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Observation Date
1/10/2014
Observer Name
T Diegel
Region
Salt Lake » Mill Creek Canyon » west porter
Location Name or Route
West porter
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
a bit of swirly, gusty winds
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
10"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

a bit heavy/creamy, with a bit of a zipper wind crust in the open areas.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Collapsing
Red Flags Comments
We saw a small natural come off a steep, SE facing wall, and it appeared that the main bowl atop west porter - that avalanched the couple a year ago - also naturaled (we didn't see the crown, but saw some debris that had come through the trees). sorry, no pics; lost camera juice.....
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

clearly wind loading and high precip rates from yesterday created an opportunity for new snow avalanches. a quick hand pit reiterated this point. clean shear about 10-12" down (new snow).

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

well-advertised poor base. Even in Mill Creek.

the new snow also had a layer of graupel from yesterday's strong frontal passage, but that was not really a player. Could be later?

We kept our slope angles low and were not tempted to push at all. Which makes for a limited day in those parts.

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