Observation: Cardiff Fork

Observation Date
3/12/2014
Observer Name
mark white
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Cardiff Fork
Location Name or Route
Cardiff Fork
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Northeast
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Cold NE wind blowing in the AM, calm in the afternoon. Things stayed realitivly cool thanks to the cool breeze, became calm on the high ridges by 2:00pm.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

Seemed to get a few inches more out of the storm yesterday, light density sitting on a bed of graupel. Snow was a bit wind affected on S-SW not much at all on NE and N. Snow became damp on E through S as the day went on, did see some wet activity starting on W at the time of our exit at 2:30.

Comments

Made the early run for Cardiac Ridge this morning, not a dawn patrol but early for me, no head lamp required. Still getting some sluffing in the steeper terrain this morning on N through NE facing aspects but once again not very energetic and easily manageable. Did not one skier triggered slide in Mineral NE facing, looks to have pulled out under the rock band up high, possible graupel pooling related, also looks to have stepped down mid track maybe into last weeks layering but hard to tell I was a long way away. Photos.

Sluffs Key hole entry, Cardiac Ridge.

Avy in Mineral NE facing.

Put the skin trail in this manner to avoid overhead wet activity from the SE facing portion of Cardiac Ridge.

Safe and stable skiing.

Moderate hazard today and tomorrow for wet activity with the heating of the sun.

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