Observation Date
1/20/2016
Observer Name
Toddeo
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Reynolds Pk
Location Name or Route
Reynolds Peak
Weather
Precipitation
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
WOW! Wild day, PI was about as high as it gets during frontal passage (S5+ ?). Wind felt like it had an easterly component for part of the day.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
About 10 - 12 Total overnight and during the day. Broke on my skin track from yesterday, about 8" at 9 am and about 4" more during the day. A lot of graupel. Snow was slightly inverted at times with minor cracking at the surface. Hard to follow yesterday's skintrack in places and difficult breaking for a solo skier.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Red Flags Comments
Submitted a separate ob for an avalanche on Reynolds triggered by another party. Some of the heaviest PI rates I have been out in a while. Wind was moving snow at all elevations in BCC, heavy transport along ridgelines. Drifts in wind exposed areas were sensitive with some shooting cracks. Of note was one crack near the summit of Reynolds (photo below), this crack was over 10' back from the ridge and was in an area were most folks walk thinking they are far enough back. Newly formed cornices were sensitive, it was hard to get close enough for a good kick without risking a fall down the NE bowl especially in bad light.
It was difficult to isolate columns on many aspects, most broke at the base of the most recent storm snow, one ECTP 1 in a sheltered location, that being said I was seeing thick inverted wind affected snow in many locations that are typically sheltered.
One large cornice drop in the North facing side of the NE bowl yielded only sluffing (photo below), this was 15-20' wide and went with the tap of a ski pole.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Wind slabs were my primary concern today,
Considerable to possible high hazard in this area. I would also suspect cross loading well of the ridge lines.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
Still was able to feel hollow areas of basal facets along the SE ridge of Reynolds.
Moderate hazard.
Comments
Photos below: results of cornice drop and newly formed cornices. It took until my 4th run at about 2 pm to have enough visibility to be able to walk the ridge to the summit without worrying about getting too close to the new cornices.
Photo below: Crack along the ridge near the summit, this crack looks minor but extended for 40'. It was also a lot further back than the normal skin track location. I think it formed prior to me getting there and I did not see it yesterday.
I would like to extend kudos to the small white sedan driving ahead of me up BCC in white out conditions during frontal passage, an impressive job pilgrim!
Today's Observed Danger Rating
High
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
