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Observation: Big Cottonwood Canyon

Observation Date
4/16/2020
Observer Name
Craig Gordon
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon
Location Name or Route
Upper BCC
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Winds definitely moving some snow around and playing a significant role in todays avy equation. Lots of crossloading around terrain features... chutes and gullies
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
8"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Excellent, albeit slightly inverted new storm snow. Low angle slope where you wouldn't feel the bottom and wind sheltered, mid elevation terrain was the ticket.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Problem #1 Comments
Clearly, wind was a factor today, so I decided to stay out of the wind zone for the most part, opting for wind sheltered terrain which offered cold, creamy snow.
Comments
Limited time allowed a quick rip in Upper BCC, but not much room to roam. My obs are based on a small data set, though it sounds like people found plenty of terrain to trigger avalanches in today. Felt like there were plenty of places you could go and find great riding and avoid dealing with avy hazard.
Of note... I found Nikki's forecast spot on, clearly defining today's conditions.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate