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Observation: Park City Ridgeline

Observation Date
1/23/2018
Observer Name
PM
Region
Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline
Location Name or Route
PC ridgeline (Driveway Cirque)
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
North
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Beautiful touring day.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
Cold turny snow.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Basement snow near ground is unconsolidated large grain facets. Stubborn column test results. Weak layers exist. Good bridging but a trigger would be a bad deal.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Faceted interfaces on two crusts near the ground within 8" of it. Energetic bed surface on upper crust below early December snows is concerning.
Snow Profile
Aspect
East
Elevation
9,600'
Slope Angle
28°
Comments
Had two extended column test with stubborn results. With the initial test producing nothing on the left side of this wide column, it looked fairly bridged and solid. Then I took two light taps on the remaining piece of column, and it failed energetically on the pre December snow faceted bed surface near the ground on the upper crust. (See photo 2) On another extended column test, a ski stomp produced nothing.
Sorry for this late post. The net has been out here in pc.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate