Observation Date
12/22/2018
Observer Name
Andrew McLean
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
Snake Creek
Comments
In the sheltered areas, it was cold with about 4-6" of new, light density snow, which on lower angle slopes was nice and stable. On upper elevation slopes, the north side was stripped of snow and the south faces ridgelines were loaded. I saw multiple skier triggered sluffs today on slopes in the mid 30 degree range, but nothing on lower angle slopes.
A snowpit at 10,498' on a south facing slope showed:
Total depth 95cm
No basal facets
20cm of new, wind drifted snow on top of a firm sun crust
ECT test of 11 with a poor shear quality and no signs of propagation
Compression test of 11 20cm down
On these upper elevation, wind loaded southerly slopes, I thought the danger of triggering an avalanche today was considerable. Although the avalanches were more like powerful sluffs in the D 1.5 range, if they entrained a larger area of swept someone over a cliff or through a terrain trap, they could be dangerous. I expect the danger on these slopes to stabilize quickly.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates