Observation Date
2/9/2016
Observer Name
Heather Thamm
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Wolverine Cirque
Location Name or Route
Wolverine Cirgue
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
North
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Very warm day
Calm to Light wind from the North
Snow Characteristics
Snow Characteristics Comments
Variable snow surfaces: N aspects still have some powder, but a sun crust can be found even on indirect aspects. Crust in am was 2-4cm thick, still breakable on South aspects, low angle. Did not investigate steeper slopes. By mid to late afternoon surface snow was wet and 'pushable' and test slopes.
Red Flags
Red Flags Comments
Evidence of a cornice triggered a soft slab on the NE aspect of Wolverine Cirque. It appeared to have been manually cut and trigged a D1.5 slab in new snow/old snow. SS-AC-C-R2-D1.5
Found poor structure with propagation potential in "Stupid chute" on the N aspect between Wolverine and Millicent. ~10,200', 38* slope, Tests: ECTP20 SC on 70cm from surface. failed on 2mm facets, HS=90cm
Stayed off of Southern aspects, but surface snow was becoming wet and saturated by mid afternoon along ridgetops. Saw evidence of recent wet loose snow entraining older snow below on a South facing slope of Millicent at ~10,000'
Also could see an old crown, likely a wind slab, on a NW aspect of Sunset Peak at ~10'500.
Comments
Photos are of cornice triggered soft slab on Wolverine Cirque, a cornice that someone walked to the very edge, and a WL on a S facing slope of Millicent.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
