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Observation: Brighton Perimeter

Observation Date
1/22/2021
Observer Name
CBrown
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Brighton Perimeter
Location Name or Route
Brighton Lakes
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Light precip started around 0900-1000, 1mm PPgp. S-1 for a few hours mostly varying sizes of PPgp 1-3mm. Gave way to S1-S2 SN around 1400. Calm to light winds. Main storm seemed to arrive right on time.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Had a hard time IDing widespread buried preserved SH (limited time to investigate today), but did find some and given the winds overnight and observed today I believe it is now buried and preserved in places (as if we didn't have enough problems) Noted PPgp pooling and fast easily initiated running sluffs in the new snow. Quick pit at 9,650 NW protected area HS 90cm ECTP13 down 50cm on the now basal FC layer, large grains, weak, and no remnants of the old MF from Nov here. Other areas where thinner or near rocks is a fully large grain FC sandbox. Noted minimal lengths cracking in new snow at 1500 upon exit.
Avalanche Problem #1
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
It's gonna come right back alive tonight and tomorrow. Our pack is fragile and weak (still only seeing about 90-110cm HS in the traditionally deepest area of upper BCC/LCC). With dense start to the storm/quickly built slab and new buried SH and FCsf may setup for very easily triggered new P Slabs that will step down easily in to the old PWL
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Already starting to slab up upon leaving and noted fast running, easily initiated in 32* terrain PP and PPgp fast running sluffs
Comments
It's going to be an interesting weekend. Hopefully we all can show a little discipline and avoid causing too many accidents out there. Low snow, minimal seasonal precip, with a new load on an already weak spx, with a new PWL currently being buried and hungry BC riders all on a weekend seems like a perfect storm for disaster. My wishful thinking has faded fast in regards to hope with our pathetically shallow and weak snowpack, as well as my faith that people will be making reasonable decisions this weekend, good luck out there....
Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates