Observation: Triangle Couloir

Observation Date
1/20/2020
Observer Name
Derek
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Triangle Couloir
Location Name or Route
Triangle Couloir
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Triangle appeared to have flushed on or about the same time as the Y and YNot Couloirs. Debris field had softball size snow clumps littering the lower coulior to the first turn forwards the ice. This made the snowpack extremely firm and stable lower but confirms large cornices and crowns on the various ridgeline mid-Canyon and north facing.
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
7,800'
Comments
Snow pit dug after ice pitch, in vicinity of bomber anchor but in the snow field. 15 inches deep, weak faceted layer approx 1.5”. ECT resulted in shovel release with light pressure from behind isolation. No other weak layers observed.
Bootpacking approximately half of the open couloir continued to confirm relatively stable snow. Our party had to switch to skinning the remainer of the coulior due to soft snow becoming thigh deep. We continued to test the snowpack to the top and observed no movement or conditions to concern.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low