UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!

Observation: Grizzly Gulch

Observation Date
1/20/2019
Observer Name
Josh
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Grizzly Gulch
Location Name or Route
Grizzly Gulch
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
On the West ridge of Patsy Marley we noticed cracking through convex roll-overs in the ridge. We were able to set off several small wind slabs while achieving the summit of Patsy. The winds picked up significantly throughout the day. By 2:00PM large trees were swaying in gusty winds.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
We dug several pits on NW facing terrain around 9,500ft today during in avy course. All ECT's failed at the week layer 50cm below surface.
Comments
We noticed cracking throughout steep convex slopes on the West ridge line of Patsy. There were also signs of avalanches in Wolverine Cirque on the W facing slopes that we could see from the Patsy summit. Winds were between 20-40mph from the South West.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable