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Observation: Porter Fork

Observation Date
1/19/2014
Observer Name
Paradis
Region
Salt Lake » Mill Creek Canyon » Porter Fork
Location Name or Route
Porter Fork
Weather
Sky
Clear
Weather Comments
Very nice weather above the inversion. Cool enough in the trees to not get too hot going up hill. Plenty warm in the sun.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
4"
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments

Snow from last weekend has settled considerably (see photo below). In the shade the snow was soft and relatively supportable. Riding conditions were not bad. In the sun, SE facing by noon was soft and unsupportable.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
The main red flag in this area was the thin snow pack with large 2.5mm facets. Compare to other slighly thicker nearby areas where I've dug this season (Gobblers, Main Porter) the facets in this location were not as think - maybe 10-20cms versus 30 cms of more. We traversed across a small not very steep area on our exit that was getting lots of sun and had very soft not very supportable snow.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Problem #1 Comments

The depth hoar in this location still produced results in one of two snow pit tests. Several lemons present (depth < 1m and persistent weak layer grain type, hardness transition, particularly at the depth hoar.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Problem #2 Comments

We didn't ski south facing slopes but warming was evidently on those aspects.

Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
8,200'
Slope Angle
22°
Comments

I think these waves in the snow are due to settlement.

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