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Observation: Grizzly Gulch

Observation Date
1/11/2017
Observer Name
Glew
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Grizzly Gulch
Location Name or Route
Grizzly Gulch
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Snowing and blowing throughout the afternoon
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

Supportable and easy riding conditions on low angle slopes.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Dug around on a 17 degree, west facing aspect at 9500 feet at 130 pm. Found 3 weak layers within the new snow from the past few days. All were reactive in compression tests. The layer of concern was about 2 feet deep, failing on a graupel facet combo. We got a CT 15 Q2 and an ECTP21 in the graupel facet layer buried 2 feet deep. This was of concern to us and we will see how it behaves tomorrow. I would be skeptical of skiing steeper slopes of all aspects due to the series of snow layers we have in the upper 1 to 3 feet of our snowpack.
Snow Profile
Aspect
West
Elevation
9,500'
Slope Angle
17°
Comments

Here is a snow profile with temps from my notebook. Hope this helps

Today's Observed Danger Rating
High
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable