Observation Date
3/23/2021
Observer Name
Donovan, Simonds
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Microwave
Location Name or Route
Microwave
Comments
Both pits were dug at the top of West facing Microwave.
ECTP18 and ECTN24 10cm below the 5cm ice crust that formed before the weekend's storm.
The first pit that showed propagation was adjacent to a rock fin that we could only guess was able to radiate enough heat to make things slightly weaker across the layer of concern.
The second pit was dug 20m adjacent to the first, but away from rocks, where the layer was still present but we were unable to show any propagation. We had a difficult time visually identifying the layer or deciding how it formed, but it is so thin that it will likely be gone soon.
However, NE winds were becoming strong as the sun set along the ridge line with plenty of snow transport. I would be wary of the outside chance of a deeper slab breaking into this older snow below the ice crust on this suspect layer in rock exposed high elevation west faces tomorrow.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates