Observation Date
1/24/2016
Observer Name
PJM/PF
Region
Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline » Moonrocks
Location Name or Route
PC Ridgeline/MoonRocks(Pit) to Sound of Music
Weather
Sky
Broken
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Temps in the 20's at 9500 feet, light snow with winds in the 20mph range on the ridgeline from the west with occational lulls.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
8"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
6" plus new colder snow on N thru E aspects with wind deposition adding more on top during the tour. East, North and South facing aspects we travelled on and near was slowly getting loaded with new wind-transported snow. The terrain we skiid was low-consequence and low angle on both East and North facing aspects here we found delightful, low density snow. Because of the complicated and reactive upper snowpack that we encountered in an extended column test in Moon Rocks, we skiid conservatively and played by the rules.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Our extended column pit revealed poor upper snowpack structure in our East facing pit. New storm snow with wind dep easily failed with one Tap on the shovel on a faceted surface down 6-8" from the 19th?(see photos) With that layer removed, it failed again with 4-5 light shovel taps down 10-12" on healing facets. Below this, the snowpack is consolidating, and took much effort to dislodge, but I could get all of the old, weaker layers to bust loose with effort which is worth noting.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Very reactive storm snow and wind dep mix on top down 6-10" moving easily on ALL steep slopes. LIght density but could carry you if not paying attention.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
There appears to be much healing in areas where the snowpack is intact and/or skiid, but the new storm snow and reactive two feet of upper snowpack could ruin your day if you are not paying attention or are in terrain where the consequence of getting caught are greater. Steeper, over 30 degree slopes are not recommended by me. Getting strained pushed into a gully or pitched over some cliffs and buried is not smart when low-angle options exist. Today we skiid accordingly.
Snow Profile
Aspect
East
Elevation
9,300'
Slope Angle
26°
Comments
1st photo shows 5.5 feet of intact snowpack. 2nd is one-tap failure. 3rd pic is 1st failed bed surface. 4th is 4-5tap failure down 2feet into the snowpack. 4th is messy column showing weak layers/failure planes & healing lower column...
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
