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Observation: Alta Ski Area

Observation Date
10/26/2021
Observer Name
Anonymous
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Alta Ski Area
Location Name or Route
Alta Ski Area Ridge
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
New snow over night with 6-8 inches in the parking lot, up to a foot above 9800 by 9am. Significant density change upon reaching upper elevations with noticeable shooting cracks up to 25' in length. We turned around at this point to seek safer terrain for the exit. Snowing heavily as we departed the parking lot @ 11:00.
Comments
I would expect there to be significant avalanche hazard in the usual suspect areas: wind-loaded N facing steep slopes with thin/poor /rocky snowpack structure.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates