Observation: Days Fork

Observation Date

2/1/2014

Observer Name

Rusty Milholland

Region

Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Days Fork

Location Name or Route

Days Fork

Weather

Sky

Overcast

Precipitation

Light Snowfall

Wind Direction

West

Wind Speed

Light

Weather Comments

Mostly overcast with small periods of moderate to heavy snow showers in the afternoon. Small breaks in the clouds late morning but not enough to dampen the snowpack in areas traveled.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth

New Snow Density

Low

Snow Surface Conditions

Powder

Snow Characteristics Comments

Low density fluff fell overnight and again in the afternoon. Combined with the cool temps its finally feeling like winter. Low density cold snow will most likely become wet in a hurry if the sun comes out tomorrow.

Red Flags

Recent Avalanches

Heavy Snowfall

Wind Loading

Cracking

Red Flags Comments

Wishing there was a human factor/people red flag. Saw at least 30 different groups between 0700 and 1400. It appeared to be a rare moment when there were not people ascending and descending the same slope at the same time...

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

New Snow

Problem #1 Comments

Traveled primarily on solar aspects or areas of lower slope angle but wouldn't have been surprised to see new snow react on buried NSF in localized and sheltered locations. Pole plants easily sunk into the mid pack facets on steep northerly skin tracks. Cracking observed in areas of active wind loading, but luckily the winds were mostly light.

Avalanche Problem #2

Problem

Wet Snow

Problem #2 Comments

Noticed skier triggered sluffs in west facing Holy Toledo and southeast facing Main Days. Appeared quite shallow, including mostly the low density new snow that fell overnight and during the day today. Unable to get a good photo due to flat light and periods of snow.

Today's Observed Danger Rating

Low

Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating

Moderate

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