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Observation: Brighton Perimeter

Observation Date
1/11/2018
Observer Name
B
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Brighton Perimeter
Location Name or Route
Brighton Back Bowls/Figure 8
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Mostly cloudy skies with temps in the mid 20's. WNW winds were in the high end of the light range, and light wind blown and or transport was observed in the most exposed areas. Light snow fall in the morning hours did not add up to any measureable accumlations.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

The snow from the previous day settled out significantly and was based up. Ski penetration was only 3 to 4 inches maximum. The two inches from overnight made for excellent turning conditions. Low angle riding was fast and fun. Wind damage and or crusts were evident on the most exposed terrain features and ridgelines.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Poor snowpack structure continues to be the story. In many areas, hasty pits revealed fist hard basal facets with 1 to 4 finger layers riding over this weak subsurface. Of note, besides observations still indicating remote triggering from lengthy distances, other reports of results from ski area control detailed several ocurrances with skier triggered slides initiating after the third person had crossed the same slope.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

Large and dangerous slides continued to be able to be triggered remotely today. And as the slab becomes more cohesive over the next few days, the likelihood of triggering a slide when well onto a slab is a real possibility. Inadequate and unpredictable bridging appears to be something that will be present for quite a while. Of note, in the upper reaches of BCC where the snowpack appears to be deeper, no cracking and or collapsing was observed today in the limited areas traveled.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments

Old wind slabs from the past 36 hours appeared to have become more stubborn and unreactive today. Yet, with the forecast for the west and northwest winds to become more active over the next 12 to 24 hours fresh wind slabs may be an issue again on Friday.

With no natural activity reported during the past 24 hours, the danger appears to be a very high consequence Moderate. With the possibility of naturals from the latest batch of winds overnight and into Friday, the danger may rise again to Considerable.

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