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Observation Date
3/16/2015
Observer Name
Willis Richardson
Region
Salt Lake » Mill Creek Canyon » Sheep Shit Ridge
Location Name or Route
Powder Park, Sheep shit ridge.
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
South
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Clear with temperatures in the middle 40's.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
4'
Snow Surface Conditions
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Snow was wet for over half its depth. At the base were facets. See lowest ice layer. Extemely damp and at top layer of over 1 foot deep. A one inch crust on top. Unable to make any turns simply because I sunk through the crust. At time sunk 2 to 3 feet in the snow. Snow in any shaded area in the forest or around trees sent me with skis on 3 to 4 feet to the ground. Exit out 9990 had a 2 to 3 inch crust but only allowed you to slide across it. Snow pack collapsed with any attemp to make a turn. This was the condition throughout the entire area. Snow pit was dug on flat area of Sheep Shit Ridge. My pole lenght waa 145 cm. There were 3 ice layers in the snow pack as you can see from the photo. The strongest facets were at the very bottom of the last ice layer closet to the ground. The entire snow pack was weak but was wet throughout its entirety. s
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Very unstable. You would collapse even using old skin tracks. When poling my pole often when through the layers to the ground.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Wet damp snow coupled with thin crust and very poor snow structure. If the snow pack does not settle even though you see the water channels on the surface the snow pack is going to collapse because of facets through the snow pack layers.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Poor snow structure to the base of the snow pack.
Snow Profile
Elevation
9,500'
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates