Observation: Wolverine Peak

Observation Date
2/21/2016
Observer Name
Bruce Tremper
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Wolverine Peak
Location Name or Route
Brighton to Wolverine Peak
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
3"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

Just quick ob from a casual day out with Susi, enjoying the weather and views. I did not dig any snow profiles but did no my usual number of of ski pole probes in the surface layers.

We actually found quite a bit of delightful turning conditions on all the northerly facing slopes, including Wolverine Bowl, which despite it's high elevation and wind exposed face, had some soft, settled powder, albeit 3-4 inches on a spongy base. There was also nice powder on all the N-NE facing slopes all the way to the lake. It was so good we just had to do it again. All the sun exposed slopes had the expected sun crust and a bit of wind damage here and there.

Maybe it's just that we're coming off of several years of below average snowfall, but now that we finally have an average snowpack, it seems like people are swarming over every square inch of the Wasatch Range and aggressively getting into every nook and cranny. We actually found some untracked slopes but we had to hunt for them. I could see tracks pretty much everywhere. I'm glad we're scheduled for a little refresher tomorrow. Again, we saw many trees blown over from the last storm.

Red Flags
Red Flags Comments
No red flags except for scattered news of glide avalanches in the usual steep, rock slabs (Broads, Mill B, etc.). It seems like the snowpack is quite settled out and low danger probably covers it. I'm guessing that the new snow forecast for tomorrow will not cause too many problems unless it's accompanied by significant wind or rapid warming afterwards.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate