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Observation: Moonlight

Observation Date
1/1/2021
Observer Name
Meisenheimer / Partyjak
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Mineral Fork » Moonlight
Location Name or Route
Mineral Fork to Moonlight
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Clear and cold. Fog rolling in around 1-2 pm and making its way to 8500'. Bathtub ring of SH noted up tp 8500'.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Mineral Fork's snowpack is among the weakest I've seen; it compares to the PC ridgeline, American Fork and areas of Millcreek Canyon. Overall depths are 40-70 cm, with much of the snowpack faceted. The snow in the midpack (about 45cm down) is becoming depth hoar, and this will be a terrifying place once we see a significant load.
The mid-December storm (16th/17th) created widespread natural avalanche activity in Mineral Fork, with most of the steep upper headwall avalanching (see pictures from the 20th). These slopes that avalanched are shallow, and the bed surface has once again faceted completely.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #1 Comments
Pretty much the entire drainage is weak and faceted from what I've seen. Today was the second time in Mineral this year and it has only gotten worse in the 12 days since I was last there. The snowpack is incredibly weak and faceted from low elevations to the upper elevations. We had many collapsed as we traveled in untouched snow. Basically every 15 steps - Whoomp. Right now there is not much of a load. But once this place sees some snow and wind it will produce a widespread natural avalanche cycle.
The upper headwall as other surrounding terrain is just plain scary. We avoided all steep slopes today.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
9,100'
Slope Angle
25°
Comments
First pictures are showing general coverage.
The next series of photos were taken on the 20th of December. Most steep terrain on the 18/19th of December went through a natural avalanche cycle in Mineral.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable