Observation: Kessler Peak

Observation Date
2/16/2020
Observer Name
Cory
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Kessler Peak
Location Name or Route
Kessler
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Comments
Went up the ridge between God's Lawnmower and Kessler Slabs around 2 pm. I stopped short of where people typically change over and traverse into God's, as winds and snowfall had picked up slightly. There was cracking in the snow as I found a safe spot to change over, with more cracking as I shuffled into position to start skiing. Skiing in steeper sections produced shallow avalanches about 4-5" deep, not running too far or fast, but very sensitive. I stuck to the tight trees and skied as low angle as possible back to the car. The steeper sections lower down, though, were not as reactive as higher up, even though the underlying crust was more pronounced lower down. Most likely this was due to the higher winds in the upper elevation.
Continued wind and snow should make for deeper soft slabs by morning.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None