Observation: The Nipple

Observation Date
12/13/2018
Observer Name
mark white
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Butler Fork » The Nipple
Location Name or Route
The Nipple, Butler Fork
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Cold with light winds in the AM warming enough in the afternoon to dampen S and create some skin glop problems where I was.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
9"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
8 to 10 inches of new, stelars with some graupel mixed in, right side up and good skiing.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Comments
Went for the long walk from Mill D to the Nipple in Butler Fork. Skin trail only went to the Toms Hill turn off and stayed that way all day. Did not note any natural avalanche activity on Reynolds face, Wilson Chutes, or in upper Butler Basin, might have seen some activity in Broads Fork but not positive. Only activity noted was natural sluffing in steep NE facing Butler Basin. I thought Greg’s considerable call was on point, new snow, high winds and poor snow-pack structure are not a good mix and it was good to see people being patient and letting things settle out before punching the big lines. I don’t think there was enough of a load to produce avalanches into old snow but I could see there being exceptions in the high, rocky wind-loaded N. I did see some activity from yesterday in the new snow only, looked to be on a density inversion.
photos: new cornices on SE facing and new snow instabilities from yesterday
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate