Observation: Summit Park

Observation Date
1/23/2014
Observer Name
Tyler Falk
Region
Salt Lake » Parleys Canyon » Summit Park
Location Name or Route
Summit Park, Park City
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Northeast
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Same old story high pressure...
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Rain-Rime Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
I did not have time to make it into the Cottonwoods today so decided to have a look and see how thin and weak the snowpack is around me in Summit Park. I would usually not make a observation from this area but decided to since I was shocked with how weak the snowpack was. Total depth around 80-90cm. pit was on a North aspect at 8500ft. Did a bunch of tests. Here were some. • ECTP 3 Q1 @17cm, • ECTP 6 Q2 @25cm, • CT 7 Q2 @ 19cm, • CT 7 Q2@32cm, • PST 28/100 (End)@ 30cm I was shocked at the little amount of force it took to have these weak layers fail. Also was shocked with the quality of shears. ( I haven't had a Q1 in a while.) This was definitely the weakest snow I have seen this year. Tests were failing on mostly 2.5mm facets. Obviously this area does not have the terrain in most locations for a slide but I feel that this snowpack may be fairly representative of areas outside the Cottonwoods. (Lambs, Millcreek, Park City Ridgeline ect.)
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem #1 Comments
Dose not seam to be going anywhere soon..
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate