Observation Date
12/28/2014
Observer Name
Jake Hutchinson
Region
Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline » Driveway Cirque
Location Name or Route
Driveway
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Was rather unpleasant on the ridge, High PI and lots of snow moving around.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
8"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Lots of shooting cracks and small, sensitive new cornices. I tried to trigger wind slabs in a few spots but just couldn't get anything other than sluffs.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Just continue to slowly add weight to the buried mid-pack facet layer, it seems to be rearing it's head selectively in the places where the snowpack is slightly thinner. Things could get very interesting tomorrow.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
The broken record continues. This is still the problem I'm most concerned with. With more snow and wind tonight, I think it will become reactive again.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Small, sensitive windslabs are very probable on lee slopes.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
9,600'
Slope Angle
26°
Comments
Five lemons continue to plague the snowpack on the Park City ridgeline. Was surprised by the ECTP 1 on the new snow, but I imagine that will get more stubborn over the next 24 hours.
Top pic shows top 130 cm of snowpack with facet layer highlighted. Second pic is ECTP result on the facet layer. Third pic is new/old interface ECTP result. Bottom pic is small chunks of cornice/slab I kicked on a small windloaded test slope.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates
