Observation: Main Porter

Observation Date
1/20/2020
Observer Name
Gagne
Region
Salt Lake » Mill Creek Canyon » Porter Fork » Main Porter
Location Name or Route
Main Porter
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
South
Wind Speed
Light
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Clouds and warmth have helped destroy any weak snow at the surface. Storm and wind-driven snow expected early this week should bond to the existing snow surface.
Comments
Was unable to take a look at the avalanche from Sunday in Mill B (observation) but tried to look at similar aspects on Big Cottonwood side of Main Porter. Dug several pits on aspects facing SW through SE between 9-9500' and all stability tests were ECTN. In some instances, I could find a thin crust that likely formed this past Wednesday/Thursday underneath Friday's storm snow, but unable to get any clean shears.
Digging down 60-90 cms to crusts that formed right before the New Year and any weaknesses at this facet/crust layer have also healed.
Overall Low hazard up to 9500 on all aspects.
Did find some facets a few mm thick at the surface. These are on top of a sun/temperature crust that formed on Sunday - likely due to radiation recrystallization (RR) - on solar aspects. This weakness should deteriorate with continued warmth, clouds, and winds. (RR may have been the weak layer from Sunday's Mill B avalanche.)
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low