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Observation Date
2/17/2014
Observer Name
lara kendall
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Mill D North » Butler Fork » Reynolds Peak
Location Name or Route
Short Swing, Powder Park, Tom's Hill, Reynolds
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
Southwest
Weather Comments
Grey-bird day with mild temps and strong wind gusts on the ridges. Protected areas were very comfortable- too warm. Pockets of blue sky by late afternoon.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Rain-Rime Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

Todays SW winds were definitely pushing the snow around. Ridgelines were scoured to the old snow or ground. Graupel pooled in tree wells, in old tracks and was even pancaked into the less exposed ridges. About 2" of new, medium to high density, snow laying on top of a (mostly) supportable crust made for better-than-expected turns in protected low angle terrain. Lower elevations had damp punchy snow. It was "snowball" quality at all elevations but dried out slightly towards 9500ft.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
There was evidence of a 2 small avalanches on the east face of Reynolds. The bigger one, off the peak, appeared to have pulled out in the new snow and ran less than 1/3rd of the slope. The growing cornice made it difficult to get a good look and I wasnt comfortable getting too close. (sorry, no photos. my phone died). It easily could have been a natural or perhaps a cornice kick from a previous party. Hard to tell with the winds covering up tracks. Perhaps someone who has more info will post an observation. The smaller one was on the more N facing side of the bowl and looked to be a cornice kick that triggered it or a natural. Again, not running far and only in the new snow. SW winds were loading the N and E facing aspects which made for great turns in the lower angle protected terrain.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Problem #1 Comments

Im scared to get into, or below, any steep terrain. There has been plenty of evidence that this persistent-slab monster is awake and hunting.

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