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Observation Date
4/25/2017
Observer Name
Greg Gagne with Bob Frey
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Silver Fork » East Bowl
Location Name or Route
East Bowl Silver Fork / Davenport Hill
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Very heavy snowfall in the am.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
18"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

Very sensitive storm snow and wind slabs.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Red Flags Comments
Widespread natural and skier triggered avalanches.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

Poor bond at the new snow/old snow interface with storm slabs propagating widely, the largest we observed propagated 250' - 300' These slides were 45 cms (18") thick, running on the new/old snow interface.

Decreasing danger as storm snow instabilities settle out, but with more snow on the way later Wednesday, will likely see increase in avalanche activity once again.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments

Winds along ridges were producing denser slabs that were also very sensitive. We triggered a class 1.5 in East Bowl that was 60 cms (24") deep.

Comments

Very touchy morning in upper LCC! Widespread natural activity, that peaked during the high periods of PI during the early morning hours. We counted at least 10 natural avalanches, with likely many more, but poor visibility limited viewing. These were all running at the new snow/old snow interface.

Very easy to trigger slides with a ski cut on slopes approaching 35 degrees. Unable to isolate a column (STC) - failing at new/old snow interface.

Photos and video of some of the natural activity in East Bowl of Silver Fork

Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None