Observation Date
2/28/2014
Observer Name
Hardesty
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Davenport Hill
Location Name or Route
Grizzly to East Pass to West Bowl of Silver and out the Emmas
Weather
Sky
Broken
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Saw it all - sun, wind, snow. Winds and clouds kicked in by about noon, thereabouts - significant wind drifting, but not before the sun had damaged the steep southerly slopes.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
8"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

Settled 8" or so from Thursday afternoon storm.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Cracking
Red Flags Comments
Size 1 and 2 skier triggered and natural wind slabs noted on a variety of aspects in upper LCC
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

Winds shut off by 3pm but by then both sun and wind had done some damage. Wind drifting noted even mid-slope where cross-loaded. Huge plumes and wind devils noted from Lone Peak to Wolverine between 10am-3pm. Warming temps may settle these out a touch, but expected more loading may not give them enough time to stabilize.

Gave some quick look to see if any weaknesses were associated with the new temp/sun crust - but could not discern any potential new failure plane.

http://snapwidget.com/v/666055482298803002#.UxEmhOPZ89c

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Cornice
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments

Size 1 and 2 cornices along the Davenport ridgeline would fail and collapse on approach, usually triggering size 1 slides below them. Noted no one below.

Tomorrow's danger rating contingent on weather - perhaps they've backed off the numbers for tonight/tomorrow -

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