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Observation Date
11/25/2016
Observer Name
Cody Hughes
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Rocky Point
Location Name or Route
Rocky Point
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Most notable were the moderate to strong gusty winds at all elevations.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Sort of a mixed bag out there. Great powder in protected areas out of the wind. Wind board and a little upside down in more exposed areas.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
The wind slab that released in the photo below was one of the upper lines on Rocky Point at 10,400 and NE facing. It was triggered from what seemed to be a cornice kick. It failed with little connectivity within the new snow and did not step down. The line was then skied.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Most of the wind slabs seemed to have settled and were stubborn on my travels. Winds were howling and loading slopes at mid and upper elevations especially along the upper ridges. I would think there are isolated places up high where these slabs could be more reactive and also carry the potential of gouging the rest of the seasons snowpack with it.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates