Observation: Murdock Peak

Observation Date

12/2/2018

Observer Name

Paradis / Brackelsberg

Region

Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline » Murdock Peak

Location Name or Route

Murdock Bowl

Weather

Sky

Overcast

Precipitation

Light Snowfall

Wind Direction

Southwest

Wind Speed

Light

Weather Comments

Somewhat wet and humid feeling at low elevations but not bad at cooler upper elevations. Wind died a bit later in the day.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth

10"

New Snow Density

Medium

Snow Surface Conditions

Powder

Snow Characteristics Comments

Along ridges snow had minor wind affect but skied well in more protected trees. There was a wind layer about 30 cms down which helped to keep the snow feeling supportable. Coverage seemed pretty decent, especially with last year as a reference.

Red Flags

Collapsing

Poor Snowpack Structure

Red Flags Comments

Poor snowpack structure noted in the profile below. October facets were the main concern and were present about 55 cms down. We observed a couple large collapses in a few different places. The first was in a low angle area adjacent to the main part of the bowl. The second was right along the ridge. In this one we were actually standing on thin snow that was connected to a deeper, windblown area.

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Persistent Weak Layer

Trend

Same

Problem #1 Comments

October snow was very reactive in snowpit tests (fairly sudden shear) and the likely culprit in a number of large collapses. It could easily produce large avalanches.

I selected "same" for the trend below because this will probably be a factor for a few weeks, depending on weather and snow.

Avalanche Problem #2

Problem

Wind Drifted Snow

Trend

Decreasing Danger

Problem #2 Comments

Prefrontal winds created wind slabs that are now buried below about 30 cms of good low density snow. These were present even in relatively protected areas. This can make wind slabs hard to spot.

Snow Profile

Aspect

North

Elevation

8,900'

Slope Angle

25°

Video

Today's Observed Danger Rating

High

Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating

Considerable

Coordinates

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