Observation: Reed and Benson Ridge

Observation Date

1/5/2015

Observer Name

chester

Region

Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Days Fork » Reed and Benson Ridge

Location Name or Route

reed and benson ridge

Weather

Sky

Overcast

Weather Comments

the overcast did not do us any favors today set up greenhouse, as snow wasn't able to radiate. very warm for January.

Snow Characteristics

Snow Surface Conditions

Damp

Snow Characteristics Comments

big story today is the snow pack heated up. below 8800' snow was mashed potatoes, wet and slow with snails and pinwheels. changing aspects no help. suspect low snow is cooked, high snow is blasted. gotta look high and protected to find good powder now. Snow does not like rapid change (thermal state)

Red Flags

Rapid Warming

Poor Snowpack Structure

Red Flags Comments

32 degrees at 8800. warm up forcast. quick pit on west side of reed and benson ridge. Found snowpack depth surprisingly low and weak-50 cm with 10 cm of depth whore.

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Wet Snow

Trend

Increasing Danger

Avalanche Problem #2

Problem

New Snow

Today's Observed Danger Rating

Moderate

Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating

Moderate

Observation: Reed and Benson Ridge

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