Observation Date
12/1/2017
Observer Name
Evelyn
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Days Fork » Upper Days
Location Name or Route
Alta to Upper Days
Weather
Sky
Broken
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Skies gradually clearing.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
1"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Rain-Rime Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

Really more like just a trace of new snow.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Entire snowpack is weakening, from top to bottom. In places where the crusts are breaking down, it's "sandboxing": the entire snow pack is becoming loose, weak facets.
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
10,200'
Slope Angle
34°
Comments

The entire snow pack is weakening, but here there were still 3 distinct extra weak layers. To me, multiple weak layers is a red flag of the possibility of an avalanche stepping down.

Stepping down:

When multiple weak layers exist in the snowpack, often a smaller, shallower avalanche will travel a few feet to a few yards and the added weight and stress will trigger a deeper weak layer, which results in a much larger and more dangerous avalanche.

Lower photo - some of the facets.

A couple of photos looking into upper Days Fork. Upper photo:

  • Bad news is most of the white, snow covered slopes harbor very weak snow, that will be dangerous once it gets more snow on top.
  • Good news is that southeast through westerly facing slopes are still bare ground, and have the potential to develop a stronger snowpack once it snow.
  • Pro tip: note over what a short distance the snow cover changes from none to weak snow. Once we get snow, it could be just a few steps between safer terrain and very dangerous terrain.

Lower photo is an pano of part of upper Days.

Here is another photo showing snow cover - this is looking toward Grizzly Gulch and Twin Lakes pass.

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