Observation: Brighton Perimeter

Observation Date
12/19/2015
Observer Name
Kikkert/Backcountry 101
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Brighton Perimeter
Location Name or Route
Brighton basin
Weather
Sky
Broken
Wind Direction
South
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Strong winds getting down into the lower elevations; however, not too much snow moving around due to rime/freezing rain crust. Localized drifts in a few exposed areas only.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Rain-Rime Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

RIme/freezing rain crust capping all areas around the Brighton basin.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Lots of wind as noted above, but drifting was being limited by the crust. Snowpack seems to have relaxed just enough that collapsing has subsided a bit...for the short term.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #1 Comments

Most areas still just hanging so close to the edge. Lots of pits done throughout the Brighton area today by multiple groups. All showing the same poor structure we know and love. Failure on the faceted graupel layer was most common, with propagation in some pits, but not all. Most pits were done out of the most wind drifted terrain, and I think people could still easily trigger something in this type of terrain. I think the lack of human triggered avalanches can be partially attributed to the rime crust, which reduces the amount of lines getting skied and tested.

Pits on upper elevation south facing also continuing to show poor structure and stability in tests. Quick pit on south facing near Highway to Heaven showing approx. 15" slab over 6" of facets, full propagation with moderate effort.

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