Observation: Kessler Peak

Observation Date

1/14/2014

Observer Name

Josh Beckner

Region

Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Kessler Peak

Location Name or Route

Kessler Peak, NNE Ridge

Weather

Sky

Clear

Wind Direction

West

Wind Speed

Light

Weather Comments

On east to northeast aspects, from 7,500' to 9,000' it was warm enough to put a melt freeze layer on the surface. On north and northwest aspects at the same elevation, near surface facets (3-5cm deep, .5-1mm) were forming. Everything above 9k was wind hammered/crusted or very wind loaded and thick.

Snow Characteristics

Snow Surface Conditions

Faceted Loose

Melt-Freeze Crust

Rain-Rime Crust

Snow Characteristics Comments

Well developed surface hoar (3-4mm) on the flats and shaded aspects was observed below 8,000' in the sun and shade. Nothing above 8k. The rain crust from Jan 11 was non reactive in 5 stability tests. In many locations the crust was on the surface and on leeward aspects it was buried up to 23cm deep. The snow that wasn't too wind hammered was fun to ski; the late day crust on the eastern aspects were less fun...

Red Flags

Poor Snowpack Structure

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

New Snow

Problem #1 Comments

At about 7,500', on north and northeast aspects, the persistent weak layer was right at the base of a 60-80cm snowpack and collapsed very easily with hand shears, sometimes even on isolation. It failed on 3-4mm depth hoar with a hard slab on top. At 9,500, the persistent weak layer was 60cm down (HS=155cm). I got a CT 13 60cm down and ECTP 15 60cm down sudden planar (see video below). Both failed on 4F garden on facets (1mm) with a pencil hard slab on top.

Video

Today's Observed Danger Rating

Considerable

Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating

Considerable

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