Observation Date
1/8/2019
Observer Name
John Mletschnig
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Cardiff Fork
Location Name or Route
Cardiff Fork
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
22"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Upside down powder and heat toasted upside down powder
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Cracking
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
Snow was roller balling on South around rocks of Toledo PK at 1030am! What date is it?
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Wind slabs were stubborn but could likely still be triggered in optimal, profile terrain.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
Facet weak layers on repeater slopes and shallow slopes in the periphery are the main concern. In deeper snowpack areas this is not currently an avalanche problem. Storm interface layer does not appear to be reactive.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
9,500'
Slope Angle
27°
Comments
Dug two pits today to evaluate how the snow was behaving on the storm interface buried near surface facet layer. One pit was mid slope in the aprons of the Ivorys at 9400' NE and the other at 9700' NE on the Powerline ridge. In both pits we had similar results: ECTN, on layers within the storm snow. In neither pit did I have a failure on the storm interface.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
