Observation Date
12/20/2018
Observer Name
Mandy Geisler
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Willows
Location Name or Route
Park City Ridgeline/West Willow
Red Flags
Red Flags
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Poor structure exists, but stability is good. ECTX and CT 30 Q3 at the basal facets in West Willow (NE, 9400'). HS 110 cm. I didn't notice much wind loading in West Willow with it being sheltered, but there was a lot of wind erosion on West-facing slopes. Another pit on a West-facing slope at 9,800' had very similar structure with facets at the ground and a supportable slab on top. CT 27 Q3 at the ground. HS 100 cm. Widespread graupel observed.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Solar slopes were getting heated by direct sun. Winds were calm when off the ridgeline. The top couple centimeters of South-facing terrain was saturated and free water was running off rock bands. No actual wet loose or wet slabs observed.
Comments
The skiing was great on shady, wind sheltered N-facing terrain today, but on more exposed slopes there were wind crusts that were barely supportable and called for more cautious turning.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low
