Observation Date
12/1/2016
Observer Name
Evelyn
Region
Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline » White Pine Canyon
Location Name or Route
Guardsman road to Scott pass and White Pine
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Temperatures in the teens.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
1"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

Very light snowfall, on and off, with only a trace of accumulation. Clouds and cold temperatures have kept the snow surface cold and powdery even on southerly facing slopes.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Depth hoar layer on the ground, with a strong cohesive slab above.
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
9,800'
Slope Angle
33°
Comments

Searching for facets on the Park City ridge line - and not disappointed. I headed to a due north facing slope - I think at the lower elevations (maybe below about 10,000') old faceted snow will be isolated to the more northerly facing slopes that receive almost zero sun. I found a thin, but well developed layer of depth hoar on the ground. The upper pack is more consolidated that a few days ago, with a 1 finger layer. First photo is the 90 cm snow pack. Second photo shows how cohesive the snow is after failure of the ECT. (ECTP14) The entire block stayed together as a slab. Third photo is of the facets at the ground. Fourth (fuzzy) photo - these are some of the largest depth hoar crystals I've seen this winter - up to 6 mm at the top of the facet layer (2 mm grid). Even though we're days out from the storm, I think there are still isolated places where a slide could be triggered on these facets.

Upper photo - settlement cones

Lower photo - a little wind has stiffened the snow along the ridge line - but cracking was only localized

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