Observation: Lake Desolation

Observation Date
12/4/2019
Observer Name
cammackenzie
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Lake Desolation
Location Name or Route
Desolation Lake
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
South
Wind Speed
Light
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Faceted Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
Surface hoar on all wind and sun sheltered terrain. Snowpack consists of roughly .5 to 1 meter of facets atop well developed depth hoar.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Poor structure widespread in all areas holding snow from early November. In areas with no old snow, snowpack structure is much better. Hazard rating of considerable felt appropriate for all NW through E aspects above 9k encountered.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
The weak layer from early November is still there and waiting. Although most prime slopes have gone through a natural cycle during the storm, I was able to find pockets of North facing 35+ degree slopes along the park city ridgeline that have not yet failed. Peak sensitivity for this problematic layer seems to have passed with slopes in the low 30s no longer as reactive.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Normal Caution
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
9,500'
Slope Angle
24°
Comments
Pit dug on 25 degree subridge between to avalanches that look to have run during the Thanksgiving cycle on the problematic layer found.
Half meter slab atop depth hoar
Widespread Thanksgiving natural cycle along West Desolation Ridgeline
.5mm near surface facets comprising the top portion of the snowpack. 2mm Surface hoar on all sheltered aspects.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates