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Observation: Sunset Peak

Observation Date
1/18/2021
Observer Name
Wes, Drew
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Sunset Peak
Location Name or Route
Sunset Pk
Weather
Sky
Broken
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
North
Wind Speed
Light
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
1"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
We found a lot of funky wind board today. Some was supportable enough and made good turns but made for awful skinning. By the time we exited we received about 1" of new snow.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Two things I learned today. The snowpack structure looked totally different from the PC ridge line. And the 2nd, I saw no collapse or propagation in my pit.
Upper 2/3rds of my pit was a pretty cohesive slab and the bottom 1/3 was facets to the ground. The entire column collapsed at the ground once I pulled on the isolated extended column with a lot of force.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
10,300'
Slope Angle
25°
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates