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Observation: Butler Basin

Observation Date
12/25/2018
Observer Name
Hardesty, Wilson
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Butler Fork » Butler Basin
Location Name or Route
Butler Basin
Weather
Sky
Broken
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Warm and humid at the trailhead, no wind, three inches new up high.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
3"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Excellent skiing in sheltered terrain. Dust on crust on off aspects.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
See below.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Looked like a couple cornice kicks produced a couple very minor wind pockets in upper Butler pocket yesterday; some shallow natural cornice fall triggered 3” drifts yesterday as well. Other drifts we jumped on were welded in. Still, we dropped in upper Butler and avoided the obvious drifts at the top.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
Tests at mid-elevation northerly aspects proved inconsistent w ECTP24 and ECTX a hundred feet apart. 10cm of basal facets (3mm and damp) beneath a right side up snowpack. HS 80-90cm at 8800-9000’. Pic below.
One natural into old snow noted in the upper Butler pocket skiers right through the trees. 9250' NE. Unknown timing or provenance. Pic below.
Repeaters are interesting insofar as one must get into the terrain that avalanched before to determine new structure and stability. A bit risky and felt that while there probably wasn't enough of a new load to reactivate; the risk/reward wasn't there.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate