Observation: Days Fork

Observation Date
4/6/2019
Observer Name
Wilson, Meisenheimers, Coynes
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Days Fork
Location Name or Route
Days (two dogs, banana, days draw)
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Weather Comments
Warm and humid. visibility improved through the day; sky obscured in the morning, broken clouds by the afternoon.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
1"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Only an inch of new snow from the night's "storm", with a trace of graupel added at around 3 in the afternoon.
We toured between 7,400' and 10,500 feet, and found damp surface snow on all aspects and elevations. Below the surface the conditions ranged from damp fine-grained snow on the high northwest, to cohesion-less melt-freeze grains almost everywhere else.
Despite being able to plunge a ski pole basket through the wet mess, the surface up high was mostly supportable for wide boards and skiing was OK.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
No refreeze to speak of for two nights, and warm day time temps. At low elevations we could start small wet-loose "slides" by tossing a snowball at a steep slope.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Problem #1 Comments
On our tour, wet snow was the only game in town.
Wet loose avalanches were observed in north-facing upper Days at 10,000'. East had more activity, including a pocket with a heart-shaped crown that appeared to be a natural.
In upper Banana Days the the damp snow was supportable, but as we neared the steep roll-over at 9,400' our skis started pushing down into the snow. Trent paused at the top to warn the group of wet avalanches, and his prediction was born out. The slide started so slowly that the skier who triggered it was down and off to the side before he knew anything was moving. But the wet snow picked up speed and would have packed a decent punch. the rest of us skied the bed surface and didn't miss much!
Active roller balling: I watched Trent nearly get flattened by one of the biggest roller-balls I've seen. These things were gouging down a foot as they descended.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
9,600'
Slope Angle
36°
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate