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Observation: Mineral Fork

Observation Date
1/16/2014
Observer Name
Cody Hughes and Bo Torrey
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Mineral Fork
Location Name or Route
Mineral Fork
Weather
Sky
Clear
Weather Comments
No wind worth mentioning was noted today. It was a nice clear warm day in the mountains.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
21"
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
We traveled up the drainage and spent the day on the east through north facing terrain. There was a distinct temperature crust on all of the slopes exposed to the sun. In the more thick pines the dense loose snow made for okay turning conditions. Looking across the drainage at the west facing terrain I did notice pinwheels increasing throughout the day. We did note surface hoar scattered throughout the drainage bottom. (pic below) 145cm Snow Depth
Red Flags
Red Flags
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
The slopes most exposed to the sun seemed to be heating up quickly as the day went on causing more and more pinwheeling. There is a Fist Facet layer 21 inches down that was formed before our recent storm cycle. The new snow has settled on top of this layer and is now a 4 f slab. This layer was collapsing on our compression tests CT13 Q3 on two separate tests. Our ECT produced full propagation with a quality 3 shear on the 29th hit from the shoulder (ECTP29 Q3) failing on the new/old snow interface 21 inches or 55 cm below the snow surface. I believe this layer does not pose much of a threat because the slab on the surface will loose any strength that it may have had due to the clear skis/high pressure. No collapsing or propagation on the depth hoar.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
The "monsters" in the basement are still there. The depth hoar at the base of the snowpack is beginning to gain strength as the pack becomes more insulated or thicker. I feel that it would be hard to trigger this deep slab but there are still isolated areas where the snowpack is thinner where the weak layer could still collapse then propagate out into the slope. This avalanche, if triggered would be wide, deep, and most likely unsurvivable. Still best to stay off of slopes between 35-45 degrees that still have this depth hoar layer lingering.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Cornice
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Did note many lingering cornices hanging over the east facing slopes up high. Could foresee one of these guys collapsing with the warming temperatures in the forecast.
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates