Observation: Salt Lake

Observation Date
12/9/2018
Observer Name
Patrick Fink
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
Main Gobblers
Red Flags
Red Flags
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
If it's healing, man is it ever doing so slowly. The spatial variability of the basal facets on aspects at the edges of north, ie W/NW and E/NE is humbling. A day out with an upside down pole shows that simply using the compass isn't quite enough right now. It's just safe enough out there to get really surprised, as I did today when I skied onto the North side of a small gully at around 8000' and triggered a collapse. Thankfully it didn't slide into the terrain trap I'd wandered above. I'm calling the danger the same. It can still kill you.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Normal Caution
Trend
Same
Comments
Sorry for a sideways pit, I can't get it to stay turned.
Upright, mostly. 10-15cm fist at surface, 1F with increasing density to facets just above a crust near ground. CT14/15 Q2 SC on the facets above crust. We skied this slope (27d, W/NW).
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates