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Observation Date
12/18/2016
Observer Name
john lemnotis
Region
Salt Lake » Mill Creek Canyon » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Porter Fork » Mill A » Elbow Fork » Mt Raymond
Location Name or Route
raymond
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Northeast
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
The type of day dreams are made of. Calm to almost non existent wind until our early afternoon exit, warm in the sun, and cool in the shade.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Snow was great in areas not affected by the strong winds. Cornices were stubborn and didn't appear in abnormal areas on the raymond ridge. No mid slope loading noted.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Collapsing
Red Flags Comments
We experienced a couple of collapses today in areas that had a swallow snowpack on our approach to baker pass. Normal cornices along the raymond ridge were stubborn and we didn't kick them for no reason.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Our initial exapectation was to watch for wind loaded slopes but we didn't encounter them. Storm snow moved to the top of the list and reacted nicely. Some stuffing in steeper start zones but it was slow moving and very manageable, about the top 2 to 4 inches.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
No full pits today but I can be sure that there are still spooky layers down low on upper elevation north half of the compass aspects. These things take time to heal. Slowly decreasing.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate