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Observation: Sunset Peak

Observation Date
11/25/2018
Observer Name
B
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Sunset Peak
Location Name or Route
Brighton to Catherines/Point Supreme
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Light winds only detectable on ridge lines, no transport observed. Frigid temps in early am, with moderate warming by mid day.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
22"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Dense early to mid storm snow topped off with 10 cm of lighter density stellars mixed with a little graupel allowed for incredible riding conditions on all aspects except in the exposed upper elevation wind effected terrain. By 1100 hours due south aspects with slope angles greater than 25 degrees got damp and subsequently got a m/f crust. Wind scouring and sculpting observed on WNW and W upper elevation exposed terrain. Trail breaking very easy as the based up great riding conditions were equally supportable for traveling uphill.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Cracking
Collapsing
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Poor snowpack structure on all slopes that had snow before the event and that included even ESE, SE and WSW aspects at upper elevations. All other aspects on the upper half of the compass were housing up to at least 25 cm of advanced facets. Of note, it appeared that all natural activity observed today ran above the deteriorating .5cm m/f crust that could be found at around 22 cm up from the ground. Widespread collapsing with shooting cracks were observed on all aspects besides due south at upper elevations; and where the many natural storm triggered avalanches occurred "spider-webbing" stress cracks were shooting onto slopes with 20 to 25 degree adjacent slopes. See avalanche observation for the widespread activity noted there.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
See avalanche observation with snow pit details depicting poor structure noted. Did not hang it out too far to try and trigger any new avalanches today in areas that had not slid during the storm; and as a result did not remotely trigger any slides today.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Rapid rising of temperatures today came up at least 25 degrees and there may have been some wet loose observed in the mid afternoon hours. Of note, with daytime highs forecast for upper 30's, and clear skies at 9,000 feet on Monday, wet loose may be an issue on steep southerly facing slopes.
Snow Profile
Elevation
10,300'
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates