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Observation: Emma Ridges

Observation Date
4/25/2017
Observer Name
Chester
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Emma Ridges
Location Name or Route
Emma ridge west bowl
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Cold, unspring like.wind light, not much snow moving.around except a little bit on hightest ridges.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2'
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Right side up, light for this time of year. Ticking bottom slighty w 2' . top to bottom- fist hard for 20", 4 finger for 4", then an icy cold crusty old snow base with some loose big grains floating around.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Cracking
Red Flags Comments
Touchy conditions existed today. Talked to a party of 2 that triggered a avy in hideaway park. Propigated 300' wide 2' deep and ran fast on a icy cold bed.broke at feet, not caught, they skined back up. Saw slides on emma ridge area and west bowl headwall. 35 degrees is all it seemed to take. Suprisingly not much cracking, I only saw cracking when checking out the slide around/on the hangfire.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
My thoughts r today it was considerable danger. My guesses- it will not heal as quickly as it usually does this time of year. For tomm, Im gonna treat it like considerable all aspects and avoid being on below or connected to slopes 35 degrees or steeper, exp above 8500.' im also gonna keep an eye out for wind and sun/ heat. Suspect Snow came in cold, new snow did not bond to cold frozen old snow. 2' of insulation ( snow) on top. The oven is cold-Which is why i would guess slow healing for late april. Aspect didnt seem to matter today. low elevation may have bonded better (warmer) and less snow/loading but that is a guess.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable