Observation Date
3/5/2018
Observer Name
T Diegel, Patterson, Gregersen
Region
Salt Lake » Mill Creek Canyon » Porter Fork
Location Name or Route
Porter Fork
Weather
Sky
Broken
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Weather Comments
A few flurries in the morning, then broken clouds. Seemed like el sol didn't really come out enough today to make a difference.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2'
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
It seemed like the snow that came in last evening/night was higher density; it formed a few-inch slab on the surface, and the snow seemed thicker/slower today than yesterday (harder trail breaking, and needed more pitch to get the blower-gag). Which made us think that it was possibly more slabby than loose.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
We didn't see much evidence of the windloading down in the trees that may have happened with last night's reported winds, but we decided not to tickle the dragon that may be lurking just below the ridgelines?
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Because the snow seemed thicker than yesterday's, we were wary of it being more slabby and thus prone to sliding. That said, there was moderately-decent bonding and the snowpack is finally getting deepish.
Comments
We had no whoomphs and our quick pits indicated decent stability, but the new snow load, possible wind loading, and wariness of the persistent weak layers kept us and our fellow PoFoians pretty conservative in our choices even as those PWL's may (???) be getting buried deeply enough now that they may (???) be affected by the weight of a skinny backcountry rider?
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
