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Observation: Cardiff Fork

Observation Date
1/14/2018
Observer Name
J.Spitzer
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Cardiff Fork
Location Name or Route
Superior: Cardiff Fork
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Really nice day to be out in the mtns. Clear, calm winds with increase warming trend during the day. Team traveled up East Ridge Superior to top of LSB. Traversed into Cardiac bowl from LSB and skied apron below cardiac ridge. Afternoon laps in Low Ivory and Georges bowl. Strong solar radition by mid morning on South aspect.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

Surface snow on South aspect around 11am become moist. Small roller ball activity as group moved up East Ridge of Superior. N facing LSB gully surface riding was mainly wind board mixed with settled powder. Better surface riding conditons on the aprons below Ivory.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
slopes with strong radition had small sides of natural roller ball activity. solar slopes even above 10,500ft didn't have much snow on them (>20") with isolated areas with more snow. several large collapses and shooting cracks today in cardiff fork. worth noting all collapses took place when group was together and between 8,800ft to 9,800ft. snowpack structure still the same.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #1 Comments

Stephen King sums it up the best with his quote " Same shit, different day"

Comments

shooting crack in Cardiff Fork at 9,250ft on NE aspect.

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