The ferocious canyon winds along the foothills of the Wasatch Range were creating lots of sensitive wind slabs in any downwind terrain. This is right behind the University of Utah and you can see a popular trail that is completely covered by wind slabs. In the steeper sections, you might be able to trigger one on foot. A couple years ago in similar conditions, I intentionally triggered a large, dangerous wind slab on a nearby trail--all within 100 yards of the U of U Hospital.

Lots of wind slabs on any downwind terrain, including right above the expensive houses.

Here I was able to crack a hard slab on a road cut but it was not quite steep enough to slide. There were many other slopes that were steep enough to slide but I was smart enough to not to provoke them.

In contrast, afterwards, we went up to White Pine in Little Cottonwood Canyon where there was not a whisper of wind. All the nice powder was perfectly intact.

Then, when you got up above 10,000' you could see and feel some wind effects in the new snow. I'm not sure when these occurred but it was not today. The snow was a bit stiff and cracky but I did not get up into the upper bowl of Birthday Chutes to investigate.