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Observation Date
1/4/2018
Observer Name
Greg Gagne / Erme Catino
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Silver Fork
Location Name or Route
Silver Fork
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

Snowpack is weakening with the top several cms all faceted. Even the Christmas storm slab is beginning to facet and weaken. In areas where the snowpack is thinner, it is almost entirely faceted.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

Full propagation in extended column test with 22 taps, failing down 65 cms (26") in depth hoar below the deteriorating Thanksgiving crusts.

Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
10,200'
Comments

Low probability/high consequence scenario. Am thinking it is very unlikely you could trigger an avalanche, but the consequences of any slide failing on buried persistent weak layers could be significant.

Also finding the existing snow surface to be quite weak as it has undergone faceting as well as it has now been 10 days since the last snowfall, with several nights of cold, clear weather.

Any future storms (I'm being serious here!) will have plenty of existing snow to exploit any weaknesses.

Am going with Low hazard as the likelihood of triggering a slide is very small. But there are plenty of steep northerly slopes I still would not enter considering the consequences if triggering an avalanche.

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