Observation: Mineral Fork

Observation Date
1/24/2019
Observer Name
T Diegel, Patterson, Gregersen
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Mineral Fork
Location Name or Route
Mineral BCC
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Weather Comments
Given that there was 8+ inches reported at Alta, where we were there was only a couple at most.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
14"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
It's hard to tell what the density of the couple of inches that came in was like, but the Monday storm snow has settled into a nice medium density powder without feeling slabby.
Comments
I've been in Mineral the last couple of days and did not see much/any evidence of avalanche-prone conditions that have been reported in the region. We were probably pushing slope angles and exposure a bit relative to the forecast, but we dug down deep and what we found was pretty satisfying: fairly solid/consistent down fairly deep, with no clean shears or propogations. And while we left relatively early both days (ie before the wind kicked up Wed afternoon) we didn't see the expected evidence of the wind slab development today. There was debris showing from naturals coming down off the steep slabs up high but it was dispersed over pretty large areas and did not step down.
I suppose that the truly highest/exposest areas were likely windloaded/slabbed (note that we were not in bigger/badder Broads, tho that may have been fine too?) and may yet be sensitive.
When the sun finally comes out in earnest the south facing has a good solid bit of dense soft snow on it without much of a capper crust, and unless it warms up very gradually the south-facing wet slides could be a problem.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate