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Observation: Pfeifferhorn

Observation Date
4/10/2014
Observer Name
J.Spitzer
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Pfeifferhorn
Location Name or Route
Pheifferhorn
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Clear skies in the morning with light winds 5-8mph. By noon the winds had increased with some stronger gusts at times. A few clouds by 11am had formed over the Wasatch mtn range.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

Skinned up via White Pine to Red Pine to the Pheifferhorn. Observation on the way up at 9am (9,500ft) we had a 10cm thick surface freeze. Boot and Ski was not able to penetrate the snow surface. Air temp +2c. At 9:45am (10,500ft) on an East facing slope the surface was starting to soften with a ski pen of 5cm and our boot pen was 25cm. The light wind was helping to keep the snow surface cool. During the descent we found supportable good corn skiing till about 9,500ft. Below that the snow was perfect ACL knee tearing conditions.

Most steep solar aspects in Red Pine and Maybrid have already avalanched. Many class 1-2 wet loose avalanches on all steep solar aspects.

Have a good Spring!

Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Problem #1 Comments

Wet loose avalanches on steep solar aspects with day time heating.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Problem #2 Comments

Wet Slab avalanches on terrain features below 9,500ft. The snowpack below this elevation band seems to becoming saturated with water and starting to become isothermic towards the afternoon.

Comments

Beautiful day up high in the our local mountain range. Get out and enjoy the spring skiing before it's is all gone.

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