Observation: 10420

Observation Date
2/12/2021
Observer Name
Ellie/Chevy
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » 10420
Location Name or Route
10420
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Our old friend is still with us. Snow came in feeling pretty wet, there's wind loading from the East on this aspect, and obviously the new snow expected this week can't be trusted as this weak layer is far from healed (see pit obs). Lots of setup for growing dense slab on top of a total sugar layer. At the risk of stating the obvious, expect this problem to get worse before it gets better
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
See above
Snow Profile
Aspect
Southeast
Elevation
9,400'
Comments
Dug a quick pit on an E/SE aspect 30m off ridge at about 27 degrees at 9400. HS 155, 135-155 was pretty clearly wind loaded new snow (4F) with old hard slab 85-135 at 1F. Our sugar layer at 50cm is still very obvious (4F/fist). ECTN 30, R4 ~30% with clean shear at 85cm. Photo is of sheared block.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High