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Observation: Cardiff Pass

Observation Date
4/28/2018
Observer Name
David
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Cardiff Pass
Location Name or Route
Cadiff Pass
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Mild overnight temps warming rapidly throughout the day. Calm to light SW winds at lower elevations, moderate with stronger southerly gusts at ridgelines. Few clouds, building into afternoon.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Mild overnight temps created very poor refreeze conditions. With rapid warming and an Alta Guard recorded temperature of 59 degrees at 10:00, the snow surface became "sloppy" at all aspects at lower elevations. Moderate winds at higher elevations kept snowpack semi supportable but intense sun baked the snow below ridgelines, especially S and E aspects. Thick slush made downhill travel difficult and dirty, damp snow caused skis to become sticky and grabby.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
Poor refreeze never solidified snowpack creating loose wet conditions, even up to 10,000'. A few rollerballs and pinwheels were triggered during our descent on steeper slopes. New wet loose slides were observed at high elevations on E to SE aspects with perhaps a R1/D2 natural glide avalanche seen.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Problem #1 Comments
With the warming trend over the last few days and mild overnight temperatures, loose wet slides will continue to be a problem and perhaps wet slabs could also be triggered as more water saturates the snowpack, lubricating old weak layers. Until we get a hard refreeze with cold temps to solidify the snowpack, avoid sustained slopes of >35 degrees. With rock faces heating up, avoid rock bands and shallow snowpacks, especially on southerly aspects.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Cornice
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
With warming temperatures and intense solar radiation, cornices on ridgelines, mainly on north to east to south aspects, are becoming unstable and could start breaking off. Avoid travel beneath large observed cornices and give cornices a wide berth while traveling on ridges.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate