Observation: Wilson Chutes

Observation Date
1/11/2019
Observer Name
mark white
Region
Salt Lake » Mill Creek Canyon » Wilson Fork » Wilson Chutes
Location Name or Route
Wilson Chutes
Weather
Sky
Few
Weather Comments
Low lying clouds in the morning shrouding the peaks, full on bluebird by noon, the funk had crept up to the bottom of Kessler when we left at 3:30
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Settled powder with not much wind affect in the Chutes, melt- freeze crust while climbing up the S, damp on the S facing on our exit.
Comments
First time I’ve visited the Wilson Chutes this year. When we arrived at the ridge we decided to take a test run on the head wall to get a feel for the snow conditions. We pole probed and dug down on the NE facing and didn’t note any blaring weaknesses or most importantly a slab. We continued up to the top of the peak to ski the Chutes, we all three put in ski cuts in the top and also probed with our poles and noted a right side up snow pack with no slab or major weaknesses. On our second run I took a look at the snow mid slope, same deal felt stable. I was a bit surprised that the snow pack was as deep is it was in that area which was generally in the 3ft zone, also surprised at the lack of wind damage but it is protected by the ridge line and lower in elevation than Cardiac where I was a couple days before. Got another look at the old slide that hit the Diving Board most likely Monday or Tuesday. Looked like a fairly large slide seeing that I could see the crown which was up high in the Rock slabs from the Wilson Peak.
photos: grainy photo of the Diving Board slide, and the funk from the valley creeping up Kessler
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate