Observation: Guardsman Pass area

Observation Date
3/14/2018
Observer Name
Evelyn
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Guardsman Pass area
Location Name or Route
Big Cottonwood
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Just a few snow showers, rain/snow line midday was somewhere below 8800'.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

A trace of new snow, mostly graupel and heavily rimed particles. Sitting on a wet snow surface.

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

I wanted to look at some mid elevation snow - full cloud cover was keeping the snow cooler than expected, though I was only out til 1 pm. Looked at two aspects, 8850'. Structure almost exactly the same. ECTN on northeast, though full propagation on the facet layer with the second "boot kick". ECT22 on the facet layer in the pit on the southwest. (I must say I was expecting the opposite). Both pits also had weak November facets near the ground.

I would think a smaller slide - wet loose sluff or new snow slide - could be a trigger of one of these facet layers, stepping down to the upper facet layer, and possible then to the ground.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Problem #2 Comments

I also looked at the snow at 6200' north facing and 7200' northerly. The snowpack at both elevations was isothermal, and wet to very wet, though layering did still exist in the snow. Punchy and unsupportable. I would suspect easily triggered wet loose sluffs on steep slopes, both today and also tomorrow. Terrain traps of concern.

Below - 7200' north, the shallow snowpack was isothermal, and most layers wet. The Kool aid tests shows it's a layered snowpack, and the first layer the water wanted to pool was the dirt layer. Several other layers below had potential for pooling.

Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
8,900'
Slope Angle
33°
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable