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Observation: Brighton Perimeter

Observation Date
1/11/2014
Observer Name
Brandon Dodge
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Brighton Perimeter
Location Name or Route
10,420 UAC 101 course
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
High winds from yesterday "wind jacked" much of the terrain we traveled on today. Rime event overnight left surface crust on most aspects
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Rain-Rime Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

Variable punchy snow in the top of BCC. Large cornices form along lack-o-waxen ridge. Rime crust and wind event from Friday combined for very poor riding conditions punchy upside down new snow.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Snow pit data showed a mixed bag of failures from wind slabs to full thickness failures into Nov facets. Our group dug pits in four locations on three aspects, all showing poor snowpack structure with multiple weakness failures.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

All data collected today showed signs of deep slab instability

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

Wind slabs and surface rime event led to poor riding conditions and weaknesses in new snow and on the surface.

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