Observation: Monitors

Observation Date
3/31/2014
Observer Name
mark white
Region
Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline » Monitors
Location Name or Route
Monitors
Weather
Sky
Few
Weather Comments
Blue bird in the Am, increasing clouds in the afternoon.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

About a foot of light density powder in the morning which quickly went off with the strong sun, even on the north end of the compass. Snow on the south facing was starting to crust up by 2:00pm when the clouds rolled in.

Comments

Headed up to the Monitors today thinking it might be my last trip there. There was evidence of new snow instabilities during the storm in the form of shallow soft slabs in West Monitor, and a more substantial wind slab in South Monitor. All these instabilities seemed to be gone today. The wind slab in South Monitor seemed to be triggered by a natural cornice fall. Crown was about 2 feet deep and maybe 60ft wide running two thirds track. Would expect most terrain to be crusted in the morning except for high north facing. Photos,

Soft slabs in West Monitor.

The wind slab slide in South Monitor.

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