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Observation: Toledo Bowl

Observation Date
12/10/2019
Observer Name
Champion and Smith
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Toledo Bowl
Location Name or Route
Toledo Bowl/Toledo Chute/Toledo Ridge
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Primarily clear skies with a few high cirrus clouds. Moderate winds on ridgelines, higher than expected.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Faceted Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
10"-12" of soft snow from the weekend storm, rime mixed in with precipitation particles. Still fast, and fun. Areas near ridge-lines and protected SE terrain had noticeable wind effect on the surface.
Also found 2-3mm SH on the skin in below 9500' on SE aspects.
Photo of 2-3mm SH.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
We looked at a skier triggered soft slab avalanche that was triggered in Toledo Chute yesterday. The south and southeast slopes don't possess the weak faceted snow like the north end the compass, but with the new 10-12" of snow available for transport and sustained NW winds, be on the lookout for areas wind drifted snow.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #1 Comments
The early season facets at the ground still exist on northwest, north, and northeast facing slopes. While this is the problem that will hurt or kill someone, we did not primarily look at that today traveling primarily on S/SE aspects. Stuck our shovels in on the NW aspect at 10,000 and found the same structure, facets at the ground with a slab on top.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Problem #2 Comments
A recent soft slab avalanche was triggered on a SE aspect in Toledo chute. We went up to look at the recent activity, other signs of wind drifted snow, current wind speeds, and snow available for transport. Winds were sustained moderate at ridgetops from the NW, and we were able to find protected areas near ridge tops and gulley's possessing signs of wind drifted snow. The snow surface is still soft, with 10-12" of snow from the past weekend available for transport. Simply look for signs of wind drifted snow which looks rounded and smooth.
Below is a photo of the Toledo Chute avalanche.
Comments
While the primary concern is still the persistent weak layer, be thinking about SE protected terrain with signs of wind drifted snow.
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable