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Observation: Brighton Perimeter

Observation Date
1/13/2018
Observer Name
Prival AIARE 2
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Brighton Perimeter
Location Name or Route
Brighton perimeter
Weather
Sky
Broken
Wind Direction
North
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Light Winds. Surprisingly cool temps. negative 4C @ 9660.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
3"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Good turning conditions. Loud pow indicative surface faceting. Deeper boot deep ski pen in open areas. Shallower ski pen in the trees.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Observed Slab avalanches on Millie Peak N face most likely produced by resort control work. While winds were observed as light we did observe wind slab formation on lower dog bowl ridge SW. Collapsing on mid elevation slope in trees bellow dog lake. 2nd Collapse noted on NW aspect off of Dog lake ridge @9660. Still seeing poor snowpack structure: Weak Basal facets. Thanksgiving crust pencil hard above facets. 1 F layer above crust. All suspect
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Still seeing poor snowpack structure: Weak Basal facets. Thanksgiving crust pencil hard above facets. 1F layer above crust. All suspect Dug a pit @ 9660' NW aspect on 26degree slope. CTH(SC) @ 20CM from ground. ECTX: Observed propagation @ 46cm just outside the standard loading steps (3 extra taps).
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Observed wind loading on SW aspect.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
9,700'
Slope Angle
27°
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable