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Observation: West ridge

Observation Date
1/24/2016
Observer Name
John Lemnotis
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » 10420 » West ridge
Location Name or Route
10420
Weather
Sky
Broken
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Wind mostly light with moderate gusts from the southwest
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
6"
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Minor cracking observed on wind loaded ridge lines.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
We didn't dig all the way to the ground but with the poor underlying structure throughout the season this problem won't be going away yet.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Plenty of snow available for transport and it was moving along ridge lines today. Mostly light winds with moderate gusts below tree line and strong gusts on top of 10420.
Comments
We dug one pit on a NW aspect at 9700' east of the picnic tree. No remarkable test results in the top 100cm. HS was 185. ECTX.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
High
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High