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Observation: Sunset Peak

Observation Date
1/8/2018
Observer Name
Grainger
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Sunset Peak
Location Name or Route
Sunset Peak
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Speed
Calm
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
5"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Despite new snow and poor structure, no observed activity.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

Dug down on the North aspect of Sunset Peak ~10,300' to look at the facets on crust that served as the bed surface for the 12/24-12/25 slab activity. Interesting to have no failure on this crust in multiple ECT and CT sites, but did have more stubborn failures on a deeper facet layer (underneath the dirty early-season layer).

Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
10,300'
Slope Angle
28°
Comments

Failures were all near the ground, no failures in on the crust layer in a few sites. It will be interesting to see if these facets serve as the weak layer in future incidents, despite their depth and more stubborn test scores.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates