Observation: Big Cottonwood Canyon

Observation Date
2/5/2017
Observer Name
Mark Staples
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon
Location Name or Route
Guardsman Pass, Pk 10420, Clayton Pk
Weather
Sky
Broken
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Calm before the storm. Clouds were increasing but winds had not. Looks like they increased Sunday night.
Comments

After a half day in the Uintas, I went for a 1 hour run to Guardsman Pass to Peak 10420 and Clayton Peak. I found buried surface hoar about 3 feet deep but it must have been knocked over by winds prior to being buried. I could not get this layer to break and didn't see any avalanches or signs of instability in my short drive.

This layer is only an problem in certain areas. It's easily fractures just a short distance north near Park City and the Canyons. This tells me that it could be lurking in isolated areas. I would certainly be looking for it especially in sheltered terrain.

In higher, more exposed terrain, wind slabs will be the problem tomorrow (Monday)

Photo of Big Cottonwood Canyon and increasing clouds at 4 p.m.

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