Observation Date
12/23/2014
Observer Name
Paradis
Region
Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline » Monitors
Location Name or Route
Park City Ridgeline
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Very nice day to be outside. Blue skies and a light breeze.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
3"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
The strong winds and high density snow created a mostly supportable snow surface with ski penetration of only a few inches. New snow was grippy and skied well.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
The numerous avalanches along the Park City Ridgeline were perhaps the most obvious indicator of instability. They included, West Monitor, West Willow Ridgeline, and Big Mac (not sure if the result of control work or not). No cracking or collapsing noted.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Most of the recent avalanche activity was within the newer snow and did not appear to step down to basal facets.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Problem #2 Comments
See comments related to snow pit below.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
9,700'
Slope Angle
27°
Comments
My ECT result was a sudden planar collapse after 21 taps on the basal facets. This sounds similar to the results Todd Leeds reported and suggests that step down in possible. The dense snow from the past few days has really created a cohesive slab. I was a little surprised that I did not get any pit results between the old and new snow interface.
Here is a phone photo of the West Monitor avalanche. It ran a good distance into the runout area.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates
