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Observation Date
1/1/2016
Observer Name
chesterfrantz
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Butler Fork
Location Name or Route
butler fork, renolds glades, scary gully
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
South
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
snow was being transported, most elevations.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Faceted Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
pretty stellar snow all aspects, decent coverage all elevations, nice not seeing mud/dirt in butler fork. sun crust gone.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Red Flags Comments
cracking, cornices are forming, another risk factor for tomorrow.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
forcasted problem of wind slabs for today very accurate. Tour was from 1 pm to 5pm. got lots of cracking. I intentionally triggered from ridge ne ankle biter soft slab 3- 4" deep 30'wide pane to run 15 feet on n facing western ridge of renolds peak. problem was not just on high ridges, went lower in elevation w, strong s wind + snow avail for transport+ surface facets from cold clear nights=sensitive wind slabs. how much snow will be added due to wind? will extra weight trigger deep slab? could a wind slab go and trigger a deep slab? a lot depends on wind. very manageable so far.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Cornice
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
I didn't see any big ones, but suspect they are being created/ growing, and will be sensitive.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate