Observation: Cardiff Fork

Observation Date
1/15/2015
Observer Name
Tyler Falk
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Cardiff Fork
Location Name or Route
Cardiff
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Calm
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

Settled powder from the storm is down to 30 cm or so ski penetration on east aspects at 9500. Near surface facets were found at lower elevations.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Rapid Warming
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

With warming temps this was concern one today. Avoided travel on South aspects during the heat of the day.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments

Wind slabs were my real concern today in the majority of the terrain I traveled. One could possibly step down into the storm snow if large enough. I did not find any reactive wind slabs today where I traveled.

Travel today was up flag into Days then Cardiff. South and most variations of it had a crust and some signs of wet activity from yesterday. Fairly calm winds up to 10k. Some small, dry snow, point releases and wet rollerballs were the only activity I saw today. Some near surface facets showing up in normal spots around drainage bottoms.(pic on 3mm grid) The only new avalanche I saw was the one Mark White posted on High Ivory.(pic bleow) Looked to me like a windslab due to depth. Seams like a relatively strong snowpack out there in Cardiff. Around 200 cm of snow on the ground in upper Cardiff.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate