Observation Date
1/18/2015
Observer Name
Corson
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Mill D North » Butler Fork » Reynolds Peak
Location Name or Route
Reynolds Glade, Tom's Hill
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
A warm, sunny day. Moderate southwest ridge top winds. Snow blowing off the high peaks. Wind has really scoured ridges and upper southwest facing slopes
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
North-facing, moderate angle, protected slopes held dense powder. Lots of great turns still to be had. Settlement cones evidence of storm snow from earlier in the week becoming more cohesive. Other aspects of the compass with obvious wind damage, cornices building, and crust. We were out by noon and the south facing snow was grippy & wet
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
Brisk ridgetop winds clearly transported snow, loading north-northeast faces, however our ECT on 30 degree northeast face failed to propagate. Snowpack about 100-110 cm on north slopes of Reynolds
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
9,300'
Slope Angle
28°
Comments
Snowpack getting more cohesive. ETC failed to propagate. Stable, but given recent persistent slab reports, would continue to avoid wind loaded steep slopes.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
