Observation Date
1/2/2016
Observer Name
Jake Hutchinson
Region
Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline » Sound of Music
Location Name or Route
Sound of Music
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
South
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
wind was hardly noticeable, but it's effect from the previous 24 hours was brutal.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Experienced lots of localized shooting cracks in the new wind slabs, but none propagating much further than my skis. Had one large collapse as I crested the ridge on a low angle wind loaded area. The structure continues to be poor, but I saw much evidence of facets gaining strength! Test scores were higher, propagation wasn't occuring and I foudn rounding basal facets in multiple locations.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Seems extremely specific as most slopes just got hammered, but I'm sure on different aspect than I traveled on today it was there.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
See video link, it's lurking but its getting tired....
This is the slope I collapsed as I crested the ridge, knife hard wind slab failing on lighter density snow below.
Just some wind damage evidence on the ridge and homerun bowl. Notice the elevated tracks. Pic below is Basal Facets from a north facing slope at about 9200' Notice bonds are forming and the first signs of the edges rounding are evident. They're getting stronger, slowly....
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low
