Observation Date
11/11/2015
Observer Name
Mark Staples
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Catherine's Pass
Location Name or Route
Catherine's Pass to Point Supreme
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Winds seemed confined to ridgetops and elevations above 10,000 ft.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Characteristics Comments
I was surprised at the minimal wind effect. In most places the trees were still covered in snow, even at the top of Catherine's Pass. We did see some plumes of snow from NW winds off Baldy in the morning.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Red Flags Comments
We intentionally triggered on small wind slab (2-8 inches deep and 15 feet wide). Other wind slabs and drifts would crack (one collapsed) but they would not move.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Problem #1 Comments
If there was no wind slab or wind loading, there was no avalanche concern. There were two weak layers on which the wind slabs would fracture. One was facets almost at the ground in the old snow. In some cases these facets were beneath a harder layer of old snow. The other weak layer was new snow particles about 4-6 inches down from the surface. These stellars and other precip particles seemed to have faceted slightly since yesterday and were very loose and cohesionless.
Comments
For the next several days until we get more snow, I think the snowpack should get weaker mainly on northerly aspects. It may get warm enough on southerly aspects. Time will tell.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low
