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Observation: Tuscarora

Observation Date
3/19/2018
Observer Name
chester
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Tuscarora
Location Name or Route
Tuscarora
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Lots of sun! Warm. Nice day.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
4"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Great snow. East and south got damp, I left at 2. not sure about west.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Collapsing
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Sun is strong. Rapid changes to thermal state is bad. I got some minor cracking south and east where warmed by sun.I triggered 1 loose wet. Seagull chute slid loose wet point release. Between twin lakes pass n heavens gate noticed a 70 foot long crown. Sometime during storm. Didnt run far, Looked like Alta had luck w explosives maby some x loaded wind slabs, nothing looked real deep.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Comments
Pic I intentionally triggered loose semi wet from top. Tuscarora- lake catherines side 930am s.e. facing. 10500'. I noticed some minor cracking 6" deep South and east. It ran 500' 8' wide. Real slow mover on a 39 degree slope. 35 degree slope adjacent- same aspect -ridden by others, no issue.
Seagull chute also point released. Skiers left sun warmed south east facing rock started a point release. Seagull has many aspects- Hot tip. West wind be careful on seagull, the entry won't have a windslab, but later down skiers left it might, and it will be mostly above you. If you just evaluate the entry for windslabs....consequense wise-it will not be a clean "lazy river" ride, u'll get sloshed way up sides into rocks
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None