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Observation: East Bowl

Observation Date
3/1/2014
Observer Name
John Mletschnig
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Silver Fork » East Bowl
Location Name or Route
Brighton- Twin Lakes - Davenport Hill- East Bowl Silver Fork
Weather
Sky
Broken
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Snow tapered off mid day and winds fell to light with moderate gusts from the sw. Broken sky and mild.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Characteristics Comments
Pit Twin Lakes (protected location): 1400hrs, E, 9550', 25deg. : ECTN, CT11 down 22cm Q2 on Graupel, CT14 42cm Q2 on density inversion above melt freeze crust in old snow prior to storm cycle. Surface instability more apparent in exposed locations and closer to ridges. Cracking on 22cm layer and the odd crack to 42cm on skin track. Observed what appeared to be a skier triggered slide in north facing Grizzly Gulch (D1.5) that may have stepped from the approx 22cm to 42cm interface. Another similar depth small slide was observed in East Bowl of Silver fork. Slab on ridges was supportable to a skier with little ski penetration. Released a small slab (15' wide, 42cm deep) from a cross loaded pocket in lower east bowl on a ski cut on descent. Expect new snow instabilities to readily stabilize as winds and precipitation abate and mild temperatures prevail.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Cracking
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Any slopes which have received loading are additionally stressing the density inversions within the new snow. The winds were strong with a great deal of fuel; expect loading in usual and unusual places.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Weight of the new snow and the density inversions and crystal form changes with in it leave a susceptible layer cake.
Snow Profile
Aspect
East
Elevation
9,500'
Slope Angle
25°
Slope angle is the name of the game particularly in loaded areas
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates