Observation: Cardiff Fork

Observation Date
2/21/2014
Observer Name
mark white
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Cardiff Fork
Location Name or Route
Cardiff Fork
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Wind was blowing from the NW quite a bit stronger than I expected, transporting snow on the high ridges, and swirling in the drainage bottoms, out of the wind it was warm, but then again it was hard to get out of the wind.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

South facing aspects were getting damp by 10am but the wind was slowing the process down at the high elevations. NE facing wind exposed terrain ( LSB NE facing, and Cardiac Bowl) were getting wind jacked as the day progressed, couldn't see our tracks in LSB about half an hour after we skied it. Wind protected terrain retained nice creamy powder.

Comments

The main events today in Cardiff Fork were the winds from the NW and the damage from the direct sun, wet activity was noted on SE facing Cardiac Ridge, and also down canyon. The winds were damaging wind exposed terrain and loading SE aspects, and also cross loading E facing slopes. Dry shallow sluffs were noted in steeper terrain. Shallow wind slabs were a bit denser and more reactive today. Steeper lines were being skied with out incidence. Photos.

Wind blasting LSB and filling in tracks.

Wet activity on SE facing Cardiac Ridge.

Dry sluffs in steeper terrain.

Cornices forming and breaking off naturally in the drainage bottom.

I'm sure there are still places you could find trouble in but over all thinking a moderate hazard.

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