Ad
The National Forest Service Logo
icon-add Observation
Forecasts
Logan Ogden Salt Lake Provo Uintas Skyline Moab Abajos Weather Archives How to read the forecast
Observations & Avalanches
Submit Observation Observations Explorer All Observations Avalanches Fatalities Weather Place Names Map Archives
Education
Avalanche Class List UAC Class List Online Classes Resources and Tutorials Avalanche Awareness Develop Skills
Events
Store
About
Contact Who we are Core Values Staff Board of Directors Past Forecasters Sponsors Annual Reports Sign In
Blog
icon-add Observation
Donate / Join

Observation: Main Days

Observation Date
11/21/2015
Observer Name
Toddeo
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Days Fork » Main Days
Location Name or Route
Days Fork - main days
Weather
Sky
Clear
Weather Comments
Calm day with the exception in some wind at the base of upper days below hideaway
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments

Above 8500' the snow surface was graupel similar to what I observed in Silver Fork yesterday. Many areas of pooled graupel above 9000'. Some areas on the ridge between upper and main days were scoured to the rime crust at the base of graupel.

The snow surface was a semi-supportable crust below 8000'

Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Much of the basal portion of the snowpack in this area is faceted. The facets are generally dry and loose. This is in contrast to the wamer and more easterly/southerly I traveled through yesterday in Silver Fork. The mid pack (what little there is...) is generally devoid of structure in this area. There are no suncrusts as I observed in the Meadows. The red flag is generally more of a problem waiting to happen with additional loading. Big dirrence between EES and EEN aspects.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Normal Caution
Problem #1 Comments

Primary hazard in this area is a thin weak snowpack, turning is possible but scary in my opinion. I am generally skiing areas in which I looked at during the summer. Turning is possible with a light touch.

It is easy to punch through to the ground in most places. I have not been in any wind affected upper elevation areas, but I would imagine that the snowpack may be a bit more supportable as Mark White said in his observation yesterday.

I think the best safety tool might be a pair of Wayne Wong era jet sticks to keep the tips up!

Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
9,400'
Slope Angle
30°
Comments

Snow profile in photo below:

HS 14-16", HST 3"

Of note: The basal layer is 4" of dry loose 1 mm facets. They are excavated out next to the glove.

Photo below: Detail of basal facets on a shady north facing slope at 9100'. I stopped to take a closer look after a quick pole column failed upon isolation in the facets. I was able to isolate two more columns with care. HS 14-15 " in this area. Facets were 4" thick and dry.

Photo below: Detail of rime crust and near surface facets below crust.. Rime crust was exposed by scouring in this area, NE aspect at 9300'. Tip of glove points to crust. Graupel can be seen directly up slope.

Danger rating of low is for area I traveled through today. I did not go to the ridge lines in Upper or Main days. I would expect a moderate danger in wind affected areas.

Breaking trail is a bit of an effort in areas of weak structureless snow. Kudos to the hunter who post holed all the way to the base of Days Draw.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low