Observation Date
12/17/2015
Observer Name
Chris Erickson
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » USA Bowl
Location Name or Route
USA Bowl
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
South
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Just a gentle breeze from the direction of Solitude.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
5"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
Upper snow was definitely wind affected (just based on how it skied)
Red Flags
Red Flags
Cracking
Collapsing
Red Flags Comments
Main reason I figured I'd submit this: When setting a skin track up towards the flag, we heard some collapses and had a shooting crack which ran for about 15'. (See picture). Definitely unstable. We saw some parties heading up toward Scott Hill and were relieved to see them ski down unmolested.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Southwest
Elevation
9,500'
Slope Angle
27°
Image of the crack
A map of our route is here:
https://www.strava.com/activities/451723367
We saw this just before where we turned around (on the crossing diagonal ~9500')
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates
