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Observation: Reynolds Pk

Observation Date
3/13/2019
Observer Name
Hardesty, Slack
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Reynolds Pk
Location Name or Route
Reynolds Peak
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Cold, only a bit of wind along ridgelines although Reynolds tops out at 9400' and can be a bit sheltered from the northwest winds.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
15"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Wow. Under-promise and over-deliver. Phenomenal powder skiing. One needs to stay nearly true north (and north above roughly 9000') to avoid bottom feeding but settlement should help this out a touch for Thursday.
Red Flags
Red Flags Comments
No red flags noted in this terrain.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Interfaces noted within the storm snow but seemed well bonded to old snow surfaces esp crusts. Not enough precipitation intensity to stress any of these interfaces.
Sluffing in the cold smoke expected but only minor, slow moving sluffs noted in steeper terrain, even in the low elevations (as noted on drive down BCC).
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
Just not enough wind to tip the scales in the Reynolds and Reynolds periphery. Only minor cracking noted when entering Reynolds east face.
Winds don't necessarily look to be a player except along the higher more exposed terrain.
Comments
Route was Reynolds east face, Reynolds Glade, and down into Big Water Gulch.
Snow was stable where we were but would expect a higher hazard in the upper elevation wind drifted terrain and mid/upper very steep terrain for loose snow sluffs.
Wind slabs in the highest terrain and sluffing of all aspects - should continue to warrant attention for Thursday.
When the sun and warm temps arrive, Look out.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None