Observation: Kessler Peak

Observation Date
3/7/2021
Observer Name
Chasen
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Kessler Peak
Location Name or Route
Kessler
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Rapid Warming
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Widespread previous wet loose activity from the past weeks cycle observed on E-S-W aspects. We skied an East face right before noon which is about as late as I'd want to be out there. All snow exposed to the sun on E faces was displaying signs of warming. No fresh wet activity that we saw throughout our tour, everything looked to have been from previous days.
Comments
Bulletproof skin up Argenta, ski crampons were very helpful. Temp at the trailhead around 7:30 was 26°. Impressive damage on Argenta from previous control work done by UDOT. Conditions stayed firm and slick most of the way up, with the exception of a few areas in the trees and spots getting hit with sun towards the top of Argenta. Didn't explore too much on West faces but as expected the areas we did get skins on were slide for life around 11 AM. East aspects were as variable as can be. Crusts, wet slide debris, wet snow and a few really nice soft turns between 9000-9500 ft. Temperatures were pushing into the 40's by noon. Rapid warming was the biggest avalanche hazard observed. Slide for life snow was the biggest travel hazard we encountered.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low