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Observation: Grizzly Gulch

Observation Date
1/11/2017
Observer Name
Cody Hughes
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Grizzly Gulch
Location Name or Route
Grizzly Gulch
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Winds and PI rates increasing throughout the afternoon.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
7"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments

A bit inverted as PI rates increased.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Wicked afternoon in the mountains. Lots of wind and heavy snowfall spiking the danger rapidly. Finding strong over weak (Poor structure) where we dug.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

Lots of loading just off the ridges and crossloading mid slope. Suspect of all leeward aspects.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments

A lot of new snow with high SWE has been added to our snow pack with our recent series of storms. The mountains need time to adjust to this new load. There is a grauple layer 2 feet under the new snow with a 1 finger slab on top that is reactive in my pit results. See pit below.

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