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Observation Date
1/1/2018
Observer Name
CDolan
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » 10420
Location Name or Route
west shoulder of 10420
Weather
Sky
Few
Weather Comments
Warm and sunny day, moderate winds (from the west) on top of 10420 but minimal winds below that.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Faceted Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
Some sunny aspects showed surface facets, and an occasional sun crust, but most of surface was dense loose and great for skiing where not tracked out.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
No collapsing or cracking was noted during our tour. We dug a snow pit at ~9400 feet elevation on the west shoulder of 10420, just west of the "Picnic Tree" on the Wasatch Ski Touring map. It was on the north aspect (just slightly west of due north), with a slope angle of ~40 degrees. Consistent with other reports and the snow profiles on the advisories, there was a layer of new snow on top of weak faceted snow. Total snow depth was ~60 cm, and in single and extended column tests, the top ~30 cm of newer snow failed on a thick layer of facets (~8cm thick?). Under the topmost layer of facets were additional layers of crusts and facets, and it was crusted/faceted the remainder of the depth to the ground. ECT test failed on 3 taps from the elbow, and in one test did not propagate, but in a second test it did propagate. The single column test failed on 1 light tap from the elbow.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
9,400'
Slope Angle
40°
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates