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Observation: Murdock Peak

Observation Date
2/7/2021
Observer Name
Paradis / Brackelsberg
Region
Salt Lake » Parleys Canyon » Lambs Canyon » Murdock Peak
Location Name or Route
Murdock Peak
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Continued strong west winds were creating plumes of snow off Murdock. We didn't really spend much time in windy spots. Strong winds from the past several days had scattered pine needles and created wind loading in odd places. Relatively warm at lower elevations and in the sun.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
6"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Wind had been far down into trees and lower elevations over the past few days which created a hodgepode of snow conditions. At least more of the vegetation is now covered.
Today was really to get outside, so skiing conditions were not so relevant in a way.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
PWL problem is well known and a contributor to multiple avalanches. It seems like the wind has been blowing since Wednesday. We did observe one in an unusual spot, well down in the trees that is submitted separately.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
The new snow has re-activiated the PWLs. It seems like there are at least two that are particularly problematic. The most obvious are the weak facets at the ground. After that, there is a layer of near surface facets that formed early to mid-January. We observed pit results on both layers.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Strong winds mostly from the west have been loading lee slopes it seems like since Wednesday. Cornices were more overhanging today.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
9,000'
Slope Angle
22°
Comments
In some ways, we didn't really need to dig today. Accidents from the last week have made the problematic structure of the snow clear. Nonetheless, it was interesting to see how much more senstive the PWLs are than even previous in pits dug in the same location earlier this season.
In addition, one purpose of snow pits are to test for instability as a way to extrapolte to other slopes that you may want to ski. The test results line up with recent skiing results.
Video
Eye popping propogation. The PST landed in Chad's lap.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
High
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable