Observation Date
12/21/2015
Observer Name
Cody Hughes
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » 10420
Location Name or Route
10420
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Began the tour around 8 a.m. with few clouds and the sun shining, but wind speed was steady and loading the leeward slopes. As the day progressed the pre-frontal winds increased out of the southwest and the high density snow began to fall. When I left the mountains at 2 p.m. the storm was getting very intense.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
16"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
The 16" of snow that fell overnight in upper BCC was light density snow and really good for skiing on the mellow sheltered terrain. When the wind speed increased and the heavy snow began to fall late morning it quickly turned upside down.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
The Basal Facets at the ground have been waiting for the load to become active. If we get the forecasted wind and water, which looks very likely, then all slopes above 35 degrees especially the ones facing the north half of the compass are going to come unglued. One of biggest concerns is how connected the slab becomes over the next few days. Basin bottoms are filled with facets and triggering an avalanche above you just by walking in the basins is possible. Best to avoid the backcountry for the next few days.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
A storm slab right now will be the first thing initiated. That will that step down to the facets on the ground, creating a more large and dangerous/unmanageable avalanche
Snow Profile
Aspect
Southwest
Elevation
9,700'
Slope Angle
30°
Comments
please note: My pit was at 9700ft and on a SW aspect. IT WAS SKETCHY. It was OUT of the wind zone and I was still getting full propagation across my column (ECT). There was 40cm worth of facets to the ground. This persistent weak layer isn't gong anywhere soon. As a matter of fact, the slopes that DO NOT natural during this cycle will present an avalanche DEEP slide issue in the days pursuing this storm. DO NOT PULL THIS TAIL. THE KEY IS TO AVOID THESE SLOPES ALL TOGETHER.
RESULTS:
CT 11 Q2
CT 14 Q2
ECT 12 Q2
CT 14 Q2
CT 11 Q2
ECTP 12 Q2
Today's Observed Danger Rating
High
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High
Coordinates
