Observation Date
1/17/2015
Observer Name
Bruce Tremper
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Bear Trap
Location Name or Route
Bear Trap and Bear Trap - Willows ridge
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Took a quick, mostly social, trip to the mighty Bear Trap trees and took a look at wind slabs along the Bear Trap - Willows ridgeline.
Very sunny, warm, spectacular day that felt like spring. Hardly any wind.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
Sun and wind crust on most aspects and elevations with the exception of some fine, dry, settled, old snow on the northerly facing slopes that are wind sheltered. Very fine turning conditions on those slopes but anything else is quite challenging. There's about 6 inches of this settled, dense, somewhat recrystallized snow on a supportable base.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
I could get a few, very small, wet, push-a-lanches going on the steep, south-facing side of the ridge from the strong sun and warm temperatures.
There was lots of wind erosoion and deposition on many slopes but the wind slabs, at least where I was, were stubborn and not reactive.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #1 Comments
The strong wind yesterday and overnight, created some fresh wind slabs in the wind exposed terrain. At least where I was, the very warm temperature seemed to have settled them out quickly. I would expect that there are still some sensitive wind slabs at upper elevations on shady aspects where the temperatures remained cold, especially on the east facing slopes.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Problem #2 Comments
The strong sun and warm temperature made the snow soggy on the southerly-facing slopes and I could get some very small push-a-lanches going on the steep test slopes. I doubt this will be much of a problem tomorrow since we are supposed to have clouds.
Snow Profile Comments
I found very stable snow on the north and northwest facing Bear Trap slopes. Most everything seems to be getting tracked up on all the visible slopes for miles around without incident.
The avalanche danger tomorrow will likely be mostly Low with just some lingering Moderate danger for wind slabs on upper elevation, terrain with recent wind deposits.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low
