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Observation: Cardiff Fork

Observation Date
12/8/2018
Observer Name
T Diegel
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Cardiff Fork
Location Name or Route
Cardiff Fork
Weather
Sky
Broken
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
It doesn't seem like too much surface hoar is building up (I was able to make a snowball with the surface snow), so that bodes well for the interface for our next storm, if that ever comes.....
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Collapsing
Red Flags Comments
there have been collapses and avalanches in the region lately, but we got/saw neither today.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #1 Comments
I dug a quick hand pit at about 9500 on a NE facing slope (middle Ivory) and was a little surprised to get a clean midpack shear about 16" down, tho it took a bit of tugging on it for it to break loose. And of course there were facets near the ground. We are still wary of the high north and northish aspects in steeper/more exposed terrain, tho we saw plenty of tracks today that tickled that stuff.
I'll use this opp to get on my soapbox (a "soapbox" doesn't really sound sturdy enough to stand on....) As we await the next storms and it's still early season but there's 3-4' of snow on the ground it's a good opportunity to bury a pack with a beacon in it (in fabricated avy debris) to practice rescues.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate