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Observation: Mineral Fork

Observation Date
1/19/2018
Observer Name
Hardesty, Wilson, Cookler
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Mineral Fork
Location Name or Route
Mineral Fork
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Warm and windy. Overcast.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

Wind, sun, and temperature damaged. Remnant surface hoar either destroyed or now on its side. Damp on northerlies up to at least 8500'. Weak diurnal squares still likely preserved in higher and more sheltered northerly terrain or just below a touch of wind and temp damage.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

Barrieto and GB No had both run during last week's cycle; but only toured up to 9200' on west side of drainage and to 9400' below the Room of Doom. Do not expect this weak layering to immediately show its cards with the early storm as it has during last week and during Christmas. Step-downs, and pockets are possible, however. Profiles below.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments

A key piece of info I was looking for involved the surface snow conditions since my last outing into Days Fork from Spruces on Tuesday- which then held mf crust on east, south, west and weak snow with surface hoar above the Jan 8/9 rain crust on the northerlies. Damp and wind affected on many areas now and expecting snow bonding of this evening's snow to be spotty; with storm snow instability heavily dependent on precip intensity and winds (not forecasted to be significant).

Comments

Two profiles plus thin snow conditions in upper Mineral.

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