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Observation: West Desolation Ridge

Observation Date
2/7/2021
Observer Name
CBrown
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Mill D North » West Desolation Ridge
Location Name or Route
Mill D North, W Deso ridge/Powder Park 3
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Continued winds through the day. Winds may have been helping to keep some of the sunnies cooler.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Protected sunnies took some heat today and became heavy in places, other more open and lower angle souths stayed relativly cold. Pleanty of wind damaged snow out therebut not as bad as I expected. Sastrugi, wind buff, settled powder, wind slab and scoured down to the old crust in places
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Sorry for the delayed ob, but found one potentially pertinent bit of info yesterday. Quick pit on NNE @ 8,900' W Ridge Deso got ECTP in the mod to hard taps on the 20210122 mid pack PWL. Didn't initially observe the propagation due to my hastiness but upon slowing down/inspection realized I had propagation in the high M of low H taps. Continued active wind loading during day. Lots of naturals observed through the day, I think most/all have been reported, but if not they are where expected, NNW-E mid and upper elevation, deep, connected, and in areas I am not used to seeing avalanches. Plenty of relatively low angle slopes (30-34) along the PC ridge/Millcreek/Lambs area.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Potientally still increasing haz with continued wind loading. I've been thinking of the 20201211 layer as a Deep Slab, and propagation yesterday (2/7) on the 20210122 mid pack FCsf confirms that this is a player, at least in a few places (plan to continue investigation/tracking of this layer). Continue to observe that there is high spatial varability with both of these layers, and my inability to draw a logical picture/map of this in the Salt Lake Wasatch (LCC/BCC/PC Ridge/Millcreek) reinforces the need for large margins. Even in traditionally deeper/more stable areas on a small scale I am seeing qutie a bit of varaiation in the HS, propensity for propagation and strucutre/strength of the slab and weak layers, which I can't find much logic in anymore.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Problem #2 Comments
More HS mixed in with SS. HS will be difficult to trigger except on the edges/bottoms where it tappers. Expect to settle quick with decreasing winds
Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates