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Observation Date
12/25/2017
Observer Name
Hardesty
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Reynolds Pk
Location Name or Route
Reynolds
Weather
Sky
Broken
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

Recent two storm snow events heavier than last Wednesday night's few inches and as such the trailbreaking was inverted and punchy. Wide boards recommended...though this should settle out in the next day or so.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
All the classic red flags. Collapsing and cracking the rule and not the exception, even "out of the gate" and into Lees Fork at the lower elevations. See note below.
Comments

See photo below. Phone died so no photo. By walking off the main track and beneath this "test slope', I was able to collapse and crack out a persistent slab avalanche that collapsed and then only moved a few inches due to the slope angle. The crack/crown along the top was plain and ran 40' across. Aspect NE, elevation 8240'. Collapsing in facets noted along the route from 7800' to Reynolds Summit.

Noted another natural slab avalanche 7400' north facing just west of Argenta Chutes, likely 10" deep 10' wide.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
High
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable