Observation: Flagstaff Ridge

Observation Date

2/10/2014

Observer Name

Charlie Ramser

Region

Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Flagstaff Ridge

Location Name or Route

Flafstaff Shoulder

Weather

Sky

Overcast

Precipitation

Moderate Snowfall

Wind Speed

Calm

Weather Comments

Snowfall began again early this morning and temperatures were in the mid twenties. Snow had mostly filled in any previous tracks. (~0530)

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth

2.5'

New Snow Density

Medium

Snow Surface Conditions

Powder

Snow Characteristics Comments

The new snow did not seen cohesive enough to create significant slab potential in preliminary hasty pits. As we ascended, we began to feel more slabby conditions under our feet. After getting higher and digging deeper we notice a wind slab or cohesive layer beneath the storm snow. The riding conditions were great, soft on top and soft underneath.

Red Flags

Recent Avalanches

Heavy Snowfall

Poor Snowpack Structure

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Persistent Weak Layer

Problem #1 Comments

Found cohesive layer from about 55cm to 65cm deep. Underneath the windslab was a moderately hard crust with about 1cm of weak snow just below.

Avalanche Problem #2

Problem

New Snow

Problem #2 Comments

Some 30" of recent storm snow in LCC.

Snow Profile

Aspect

South

Slope Angle

30°

Comments

I did two column tests. Both failed on the 5th compression from the wrist, and broke at the crusty layer next to weak snow described above, about 65cm deep. The bottom half of the broken column remained well intact after picking it up, the top half (new snow) did not. Also, once we got on a slope that was approx 30deg the most recent 7cm of snow was susceptible to sluffing.

Today's Observed Danger Rating

High

Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating

High

Coordinates

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