Observation Date
4/1/2017
Observer Name
Brad N
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » 10420
Location Name or Route
10420
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
Northeast
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
At the trailhead wind were absolutely calm although clouds were rolling over both 10420 and the Park City Ridgeline by Monitors and USA Bowl. Temps were just below freezing at 0830am. Until we gained the ridge just below the false summit no winds although you could see the effects of last night's wind event. On the ridge and summits a light breeze was blowing that made it pleasant.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
A thin crust of 4 to 6 cm on the southern aspects that was easily punched by a pole plant. Snow under the crust was soft and already starting to round in the few hand pits I checked. On the ridge some scouring and wind loading was evident. However, by the time we started skiing (roughly 1045) the NE Bowl the surface had softened by the sun. Rollers ran on each turn and several times larger dinner plate size sluff broke and ran. However, the snow skied well if a bit heavy. By the time we skinned back up to the pass the snow was starting to get sloppy and punchy. The snow from earlier in the week and the cooler temps had the trees coated like winter time!
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
The snow warmed rapidly. While snacking on 10420 the surface because very moist in a short amount of time. On the windloaded aspects just below the false summit I was able to trigger cracking 18 to 24 inches past the ends of my skis on a few test slopes near skintrack corners. However, nothing substantial was moving and cracking seemed confined to the 4 to 6cm crust.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Isolated wind slabs at upper elevations, potential to get some moving in steepest terrain
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
Snow was softening and moistening quickly. In the lower NE Bowl on 10420 there was evidence of a substantial point release that was likely from the Thursday's storm. Some debris blocks were 2 ft or so in size. Several point releases were seen on other similar aspects on adjacent mountains from the peak of 10420.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
10,400'
Slope Angle
39°
Comments
A fine day of spring skiing. Early start, cool at the trailhead, and warm on the ski out. In the first pic you can see sloughing in Lacka Waxen (Clayton Peak), Second pic is snow surface along the ridgeline approach, Third pic shows northeasterlies still blowing in early morning, and Fourth pic is NE Bowl, you can zoom and see debris center right.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates
