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Observation: Cardiff Fork

Observation Date
12/19/2015
Observer Name
Donovan Lynch
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Cardiff Fork
Location Name or Route
Cardiff Fork
Weather
Sky
Broken
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Warm, partly sunny, slight breeze
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Rain-Rime Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Thin layer of rime crust capped the snowpack on all aspects, more so on south-facing aspects. Snow beneath crust was damp and heavy, especially as the day progressed and temps rose.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Saw the avalanche off Cardiac Ridge that Mark White described on 12/17. Although we stuck to low angle slopes, some rollovers appeared wind loaded on the leeward side and looked touchy Also felt some minor collapsing.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Southeast
Elevation
9,300'
Slope Angle
25°
Comments
Dug a pit on the south side of Montreal Hill. Encountered a weak layer (1F) about 7cm up from the ground (73cm below the top of our pit). Two compression tests revealed quality 2 shears on this weak layer after CT16 and C18. An ECT did not reveal any propagation.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable