Observation Date
11/22/2016
Observer Name
Evelyn
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Alta Ski Area » Upper Collins area
Location Name or Route
Alta to Collins
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Speed
Calm
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
10"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

Looking a bit more like winter these days. The storm came in with a decent amount of grauple - good, dense snow that is starting to cover up the rocks. But plenty of rocks are lurking just below the surface, so the best bet for turns are still low angle smooth or grassy slopes.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Cracking
Red Flags Comments
A human triggered slide in Baldy Main Chute. Cracking in the upper 4 inches of snow.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

This weakness should be short lived, but there seemed to be a widespread shear in the new snow, about 3-4 inches down, even on wind sheltered slopes. On wind drifted slopes, it could be two or three times deeper. Definitely look for the weakness tomorrow, Wednesday, and again on Thursday as the next storm comes in - one easy way to do this is walk a few feet above an existing skin track.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments

There is a thin, 2 to 6" layer of facets sitting on the ground on northerly and northeasterly facing slopes, above about 9,500'. They are just thick enough and widespread enough we can't ignore them.

Photo below is of the season's snow pack at about 10,000', north northwesterly facing. The upper arrow points to the new snow interface/density inversion.

The lower arrow points to the shallow layer of weak facets, deeper in other spots. Facets are still cold and loose.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low