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Observation: Park City Ridgeline

Observation Date
1/6/2018
Observer Name
WPT AIARE 1
Region
Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline
Location Name or Route
Park City Ridgeline
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Weather Comments
Started day around 11:00 with S~1, OVC, calm wind. Ended day 15:30 with S1, X, calm winds. Felt temp drop in PM.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Faceted Loose
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

Damp new snow, medium to high density. Glooping on skis/skins. Snowline seemed at or below 8,500' Mixed bag of old snow surface. HN 1-3 cm. Old snow weak and faceted. Shallow in most areas, at most HS 50-60 cm @ 8,800', still observing small pockets of remaining Christmas slab. Faceted top to bottom in most areas.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Snowpack structure remains the main red flag. Although many areas had weak faceted snow top to bottom, I am still observing isolated pockets of the Christmas slab remaining.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

This was the only problem observed in our limited travels today in the 8,500'-8,800' range. The snowpack has not faceted everywhere, the Christmas slab remains in small isolated pockets. This slab can be seen in snowpit profile and test results below. I would think this problem is going to remain the same with the slowly weakening slab slowed even more by little insulation from new snow, and/or new slab formation with additional snow.

Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
8,800'
Slope Angle
23°
Comments

Limited terrain observed today.

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