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Observation: Rips Ridge

Observation Date
2/3/2021
Observer Name
Wes
Region
Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline » Rips Ridge
Location Name or Route
Rip's Ridge
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
The storm seemed to come in in pulses starting with graupel and wet snow and then lighter. So we are happy it came in right side up but it also came with a moderate to strong wind that rapidly formed wind slabs.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
5"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
All but one
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
I think the ridgelines are going to load up fat and once again load repeater slide areas and add weight to the PWL.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Rips Ridge: 8800' North
24 degree slope, HS 131
ECTP24@42
I was surprised to see how deep this pit was and how easily the PWL failure was produced. These avalanches are just going to get bigger and bigger.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High
Coordinates