Ad
The National Forest Service Logo
icon-add Observation
Forecasts
Logan Ogden Salt Lake Provo Uintas Skyline Moab Abajos Weather Archives How to read the forecast
Observations & Avalanches
Submit Observation Observations Explorer All Observations Avalanches Fatalities Weather Place Names Map Archives
Education
Avalanche Class List UAC Class List Online Classes Resources and Tutorials Avalanche Awareness Develop Skills
Events
Store
About
Contact Who we are Core Values Staff Board of Directors Past Forecasters Sponsors Annual Reports Sign In
Blog
icon-add Observation
Donate / Join

Observation: Bonkers

Observation Date
1/7/2020
Observer Name
Donovan, Simonds
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Broads Fork » Bonkers
Location Name or Route
Broads Fork
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
South
Wind Speed
Light
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Damp
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
Wind and snow blowing off of the high peaks throughout the day, but relatively quiet and calm everywhere else including lower elevation ridgelines.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Traveled up Broads Fork to Bonkers today. Wind crust/slab was immediately noticeably upon reaching the base of the slope on North --> East facing slopes. West facing slopes across the drainage were clearly wind affected as well.
Wind crust was slippery and quick to break out from underneath our skis but altogether un-cohesive throughout the entirety of the climb. Care was taken when approaching the upper ridge and we did not move out on to the open face until lower down, but again we never managed to find any slabs deeper than 4 - 8cm.
Although it did not pose a problem in the terrain we rode today, I would wary of skiing a more committing line where this, quick to pull out from under you, wind skin would be more of a concern.
what is a relatively benign and predictable problem today will be something to watch as this next storm roles in.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Normal Caution
Problem #2 Comments
Wind sheltered north facing terrain has begun faceting at the surface and we were able to initiate small dry sloughs in 38 degree and steeper slopes
Comments
-We dug two pits today in search of our new and scary persistent weak layer, and third to look at North facing snowpack.
-East facing slope @ 8400ft
No weaknesses observed other than the aforementioned thin wind slab/skin
-West facing slope @ 8200ft
No week layer observed, but roller balls had begun to form in the afternoon
-North facing slope @ 9600ft
Snow pack looks great and it's very satisfying to see our basal facets that have healed significantly in the last couple of weeks. Graupel layer about 40cm down from the surface is nonreactive.
Photo shows thin wind slab that was prevalent on all exposed terrain in upper broads fork.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates