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Observation: Kessler Peak

Observation Date
2/26/2015
Observer Name
Brett Carroll
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Kessler Peak
Location Name or Route
Kessler Peak
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Moderate snowfall began around 8am and was still falling when we got back to the car at 12pm.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
4"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
The upper elevations (approx 9000'+) on Kessler picked up a quick 4-6" while we were up there. The below that new snowfall was in the 2-3" range. Sheltered northerly aspects skied surprisingly well. Actually some of the best turns of the season!
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
The snowfall wasn't especially heavy, but we initiated some long-running sloughs in the new snow on fairly steep (upper 30's-40 degrees) northerly-facing aspects. Poor snowpack structure was confined to the summit ridgeline. The snowpack along the NW side of the ridge was shallow (2-3 feet) with 4-6" of new snow, a 6"-thick wind slab under the new snow, and 1-2 feet of sugary, faceted snow below the wind slab. We experienced some cracking in this wind slab, but the cracks never propagated more than a few feet. Snowpack structure was good in areas with a deeper snowpack.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Problem #1 Comments
We set off some long-running sloughs on northerly aspects. They were large enough to be consequential if a person was caught in/above a terrain trap or in no fall-zone terrain.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
The wind slabs from the wind events earlier this week seem to have settled out pretty well. I'd still be cautious in shallow snowpack areas where the slabs are sitting on weaker snow.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate