Observation Date
11/30/2016
Observer Name
Tyler Falk
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Cardiff Fork
Location Name or Route
Cardiff Fork
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Another cold relitivly calm day in the mountains. Almost no wind or transport on 10k ridgelines. Trailhead tempatures were 20 degrees at the Alta Lodge when starting at 930 and also 20 degrees when I left at 430.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
1"
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Maybe a inch or so of light density sellers from Tuesday night on top of the pack. South was still hanging in there at the end of Wednesday. With the cold temps and calm winds I feel the storm snow has only settled in depth a minimal amount. Trail breaking was just above boot deep.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Only real red flag I saw today is a poor snowpack structure in upper elevation Northwest to Northeast terrain.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
My main concern for today was avoiding steep upper elevation north aspects where there was old snow.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Storm slabs seam to have settled out in the last day of so.
Comments
Tree branches are still holding snow. Evidence of how calm and cold the weather has been the last two days. Height of snow in Cardiff Bowl is around 95cm. Cardiac ridge around 110cm. Possible storm slab crown in upper cardiac ridge near the pass. I did not find weak enough snow where I was digging to get a ECTP. Right side up pack with strong snow around 9500 in Cardiff near Intermediate Ridge on a NW aspect. Likely just a few hundred feet short in elevation to find old snow.
Pic. 1. Large Sellers from Tuesday night.
Pic. 2. Sluffing in storm snow.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
