Observation Date
12/31/2020
Observer Name
John Lemnotis
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Cardiff Fork
Location Name or Route
Cardiff fork
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
South
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Touring up from mill D at 7300' precip diminished throughout the day but was only ever S-1 at best. The wind was calm to non existent until we approached 10k and were exposed where it change to calm/light and blew to the south. There was no visible snow transport. All factors considered a rather nice day in the range through our tour today.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
The snow surface hasn't change much from the sheltered pow, recrystallized or NSF, and wind effected. Today we identified definitive DH though. At a mid elevation ~8600' the second in our party punch through a traverse on the skin track and sank about 30cm. The HS at this location was 95cm and it was easy to see cups and striations. It was not well developed but surrounded by other large grain facets >2mm. Above the faceted layer sat the well formed slab that we have been seeing throughout the range.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
We are dealing with a weak snowpack that still gives us signs of instability on every tour we take. When we got off the skin track it was easy to see cracking as well as feeling a large collapse (whumph) in a well traveled area. To me this means that we cannot let our guard down. This collapse happened on a slope that was N facing around 9400' on the power line run. There were tracks all around and other backcountry travelers on N facing steep slopes nearby. Our PWL is still something not to be messed with.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
We have multiple weak layers present on the N half of the compass and they are not going away soon. We should all consider to monitor these as we ring in 2021. The continued presence of collapsing and cracking means that you just need to hit the sweet spot on the wrong slope and it's going to be a bad day!
Shooting cracks from our fresh skin track today
Above photo - this crack occured above me while skinning in untoughed snow. To me this solidifies the fact that we are dealing with dangerous weak layers that will break above you and not give you any chance to get off of the slab. The continued slab formation above this layer is concerning. Don't let your guard down.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates
