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Observation: Sidewinder

Observation Date
2/25/2019
Observer Name
Hardesty, O'Connor
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Mill B South » Sidewinder
Location Name or Route
Sidewinder
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Warm temps and green-housing had damp snow up to 8500'? on north - roughly.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
1"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Trace to an inch overnight.
Wind damage extensive in the alpine with the best conditions in the sheltered mid-elevations prior to dropping into the mank at the low elevations.
Chalky, damp, and wind jacked snow will be slow to show any signs of weakening.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
Extensive wind damage though no activity with ski cutting in high terrain.
Comments
Full and white conditions in the high country. East face of the Twins scraped clean from the 19th/20th SE winds.
Minor cracking around skis.
Mid-elevation drifting back to the west - see danger rose which conveys west facing erosion up high and deposition at the mid-elevations. Terrain channeling often leads to uncertainty with locations; best to recognize wind deposited snow through look, feel, and other visual clues.
Inspection of the Valentine's Day crust at 7000' showed a triple crust with facets between the lenses (down 25cm or so).
No signs of recent natural or human triggered wind slabs, sluffs (wet or dry) or recent glides in the usual places.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None