Donate to the 2024 Spring Campaign to help rebuild the UAC website.

Observation: Wolverine Cirque

Observation Date
2/11/2015
Observer Name
chester
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Wolverine Cirque
Location Name or Route
wolverine cirque twin lakes
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
East
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
@ start, 9 am moderate winds from east moving a little snow off the ridges (above 10,000). The wind died bout 1 hour later. warming up when l left (1ish)
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
clear cold night- snow felt drier than yesterday's cream -diurnal recristalization-ticking bottom a bit more than yesterday. still some real powder with no crust to be had on due north shaded between 9-10,000. snow has been very very fast. had more fun lower angle than in the wolverine cirque where I was bottom feeding a bit. (less edging=more floating powder). Nice weather, decent snow!
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Red Flags Comments
Unike yesterday where I saw nothing, today I did see a little cracking (not shooting) at one spot (heavans gate) on a n facing face 10000' where the wind had drifted some snow from ene facing slope. slab/drifts encountered appeared fresh and was not very thick (3-6"). Suspect not much of a load.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
above 10,000 ne-nnw. small, pockety, decreasing w heat) (unless winds pick up)
Avalanche Problem #2
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low