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Observation: Crow's Feet

Observation Date
1/10/2016
Observer Name
Cory Akin
Region
Salt Lake » Crow's Feet
Location Name or Route
Crows Feet
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Weather Comments
Skies were clear in the morning with scattered clouds to the northwest. Eventually as the day progressed and we gained elevation, clouds had filled in completely with poor visibility, although only near the mid and upper elevations
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Snow quality was outstanding: low density, right side up, boot deep, no wind affect
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Red Flags Comments
As we made our way through the trees and to the edge of the main shot (we chose to ascend from the base and go straight up the crows feet), we could see where the gully had recently sloughed, perhaps during snowfall on friday or when sun hit the upper reaches on saturday. lack of visibility and a desire to get back to the car kept us from doing serious inspection once we reached the top, although it did appear the slough ran a long ways, easily over a 1000'. no sign of a fracture though, and no signs of it breaking down to deeper layers Skinning up we did not encounter collapsing. We also found the new snow to be bonded well enough to the old layer to allow us to ascend without feeling like we would wash out at the steeper parts
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
there was a decent amount of new snow from the previous storm, close to a foot if not more, comparable to the other parts of the wasatch we skied on friday and saturday: emmas ridge, kessler. Considering the size of the line we were on, and the steepness of it, we took efforts to stay out from under the longer gullies, sticking to tighter trees where possible, going across small test slopes in the lower elevations to feel for any possible collapsing. Skinning up we did not set off any sloughs, although skiing down turns on the steeper sections would cause long running sloughs. Miraculously this storm did not bring any significant wind, which was certainly a deciding factor in taking on a bigger line like this after the decent shot of recent snowfall
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
9,400'
Slope Angle
37°
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates