Observation: Grizzly Gulch

Observation Date
3/24/2018
Observer Name
Nathan Chaszeyka
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Grizzly Gulch
Location Name or Route
Grizzly Gulch
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Started the morning with notable SW winds on the ridgelines. Large plumes of transport were visible coming off of the South Face of Mt Superior and spilling into Cardiff Fork. By 10am the wind direction had shifted into a NW wind.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

South facing aspects held mostly supportable crust. It was skiable in most places. North side of Patsy Marley held about 3" of dense wind deposited snow. This creamy fun was quickly discovered and mostly tracked out by 10am. It was fast and fun while it lasted. Similar untracked aspects are still out there for those willing to find them, I'm sure.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Cracking
Red Flags Comments
The crown of the Days Fork avalanche was very visible from Twin Lakes pass and a reminder to keep things mellow. The steady winds were quickly filling in skin tracks and wind transport was constant. I noted cracking 6 to 8" deep in windrifts in a variety of aspects, indicating that the transport is beginning to form into cohesive windslab.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

Snow from the last storm is available for transport and the wind is willingly moving it about. I'm certain that there are wind slabs already waiting to be triggered at this point and more to come as the wind continues.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments

The deep slab problem is evident in the recent avalanches. While I didn't personally witness it today, the visible crown in Days Fork was a reminder that it is still there.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable