Observation: Cardiff Fork

Observation Date
12/14/2014
Observer Name
mark white
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Cardiff Fork
Location Name or Route
Cardiff Fork
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Weather Comments
Lightly snowing most of the day, in and out visibility in upper Cardiac, better visibility at lower elevation.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
6"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

Was expecting to see more snow in Cardiff, 10 inches at the Alta guard station diminished to about 5 at Cardiff Pass, and a average of 6 inches in the Cardiac area, with decreasing amounts with elevation loss.

Comments

Went to Cardiff thinking that the largest snow amounts were to be found there, wrong 6 inches max. Snow was right side up and non wind affected. did not note any signs of instabilities, just a little sluffing in steeper terrain. Was interested to see if the snow pack was similar to what I was seeing on the PC Ridgeline yesterday, and it was very similar, damp facets at the ground, one finger slab mid-pack then the suspect facet, wind crust, combo with 6 inches of new on top. The wind crust\ wind slab was thicker than what I found in No Name but same problem, crust capping off loose facets, waiting for a larger load to collapse it. Photos, snow pit on E-NE facing Ivory Flakes just under 10000ft, rimed trees Cardiff south facing and people might want to refresh their safe travel protocol and route finding skills before we have some real hazard, saw some awfully odd choices today.

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