Observation Date
3/1/2017
Observer Name
Caleb
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Hogum
Location Name or Route
Hogum Fork
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
East
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Last night (friday night) was cold and clear. Temperatures got up into the 40's at around 10,000' today with perfectly sunny skies.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
There was a healthy refreeze from last nights cold clear skies creating a supportable 1.5 inch thick crust at 10,000'.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
After some investigation along the ridge lines in Hogum Fork it seemed that the odd easterly winds did not transport much of the snow due to the overnight refreeze. Some shallow wind slabs were found along the ridges but nothing too substantial.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
No new rollerballs or wet sluffs were seen probably due to the natural cycle yesterday (Friday).
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Minor shallow wind slabs along west facing ridge line of airplane peak and in some chutes on thunder ridge, but these were very manageable with ski cuts.
Comments
The skiing was great with warming of the crust on E aspects at 0910 at upper elevations above 9700'. This was followed by the south and then finally the west was skiing great by 1410.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
