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Observation: Summit Park

Observation Date
1/22/2018
Observer Name
DuRoss
Region
Salt Lake » Parleys Canyon » Summit Park
Location Name or Route
Summit Park
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Very light snow. PI rate of 2 flakes an hour. Some small grain surface hoar developed overnight on exposed ridge.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
18"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
18" of low density snow from the weekend storm, settled to around 16"
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Not much of a slab to speak of, now just new snow over a rain crust capped rotten and faceted snowpack. No apparent wind slab where I skied.
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
8,300'
Slope Angle
28°
Comments
Decided to check out an area of very thin snowpack, and found just that. Before this weekend's storm, this area was entirely facets with a rain crust capping it. Wanted to see how this would react to 18" of new snow. 90 cm of snow in total. No cohesive slab to be found. Two ECTs with identical results, failure at facets near the ground, at 29, no propagation. Light density snow didn't add that much SWE weight, but I don't trust this snowpack in this area for future storms with additional weight.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate