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Observation Date
11/28/2016
Observer Name
John Lemnotis
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » 10420
Location Name or Route
10420
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Heavy snowfall throughout the day. Wind was consistent with moderate speed loading the N half of the compass.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
The new snow was the light fluffy Utah powder that our dreams are made of. I abstained from doing too much riding today and dug around a lot instead.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Red Flags Comments
New snow and wind are what I had my eye on today.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
The new snow is very light and was sluffing quite a bit even on very low angle slopes. The pack is right side up and hasn't consolidated but will when the storm calms.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
There was a mixed bag out there today, the wind slabs that are firm are delicate and would crack when approaching, on the other hand there were just as many unconsolidated wind slabs but they are deep! They will be large and touchy as the snow continues.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
10,300'
Slope Angle
26°
Comments
Big picture... Pretty good start to the early season pack but too soon to start celebrating. After the storm clears we will have a better picture on how reactive the basal facets on the N half of the compass will be. There is a lot of variability out there, this was the most reactive pit I dug today. Others contained moist facets at the ground with no propagation as opposed to the well defined depth hoar that showed propagation in these tests. Be weary of wind loaded slopes over the next day or two, be mindful of aspect as the pack will should be more stable on the S half. A thin snow pack is a weak snow pack, time and weather will tell where we go from here.
Photo 1 depth hoar that was the cause of propagation in my pit.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
High
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High
Coordinates