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Observation Date
12/15/2014
Observer Name
Toddeo
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Cardiff Fork » Cardiac Ridge
Location Name or Route
Cardiff, Cardiac Ridge and Bowl
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Warm in the sun and cold in the shade, imgaine that.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
5"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

Approximately 5" new storm total in Cardiff. HS ranges from 90+ cm in protected areas to <40 cm in open areas. The 2 finger mid-pack is supportable.

Cardiac bowl and ridge snowpack ranges from 90 cm with a strong mid-pack to weak shallow areas rotted to the ground. Basel facets appear to be healing in all areas overlain by the 2 finger mid-pack.

Minor surface sluffing in steeper areas.

Rime crust at base of storm snow becomes stronger with increasing elevation, although it is still very subtle and weak.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Still not ready to say this has passed, although to quote my attorney: "snow stability appears to have been very well tested in Cardiff today". I think there are still locations where it may be possible to trigger a hard slab, but the likelihood is low. Primary hazard is the thin snow pack. Hard to relax while skiing.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Problem #1 Comments

Low danger.

Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
9,900'
Slope Angle
35°
Comments

Snow pit was dug in a sheltered location to look at areas of deeper accumulation. Dug below some trees on lower Hanson's to make sure there was no debris. It's a lot easier to look at the shallow/weak areas on the fly.

Cardiac Ridge used to look a lot more orderly before the advent of big-mountain free riding.

It was great to see the new crew of UDOT avy bosses today!

I think I can honestly say low danger in this area.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low
Coordinates