Observation: Park City Ridgeline

Observation Date
12/18/2021
Observer Name
CBrown
Region
Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline
Location Name or Route
Willow Fork/PC Ridge Line
Weather
Sky
Clear
Weather Comments
Calm day, much warmer than yesterday. Calm to light winds.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Characteristics Comments
Solar slopes took heat today. South warmed up rapidly and made for very sticky conditions. At least S-SW steeper than about 25* above 8,800'. Low angle solars took heat down in the 8,500' range as well. Did not observe mid/upper elev SE slopes to assess warming. LOW ANGLE northerly was skiing well/staying cold.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Cracking
Collapsing
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Observed new and old avalanches on the north half of the compass. Had cracking as the south heated up, widespread collapsing on the North half of the compass. Had a collapse down at 8,600' NW in the trees, moderate slope angle. Very poor snow structure on north upper/mid. Of three pits dug at 9,850' NE monitor sneak had 2x ECTPV down 65cm on 2-3mm facets and 1x ECTP14 all on the same layer (HS 105cm). Glaringly obvious right now that North facing slopes are unstable and north facing avalanche terrain is deadly skiing/riding. If you have any doubts, look at the recent avalanche activity, remote triggers, skier triggers, perform ECT or simply stick your hand or shovel into the snowpack and look at the facets.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Pretty straight forward right now, touchy, active and off limits. Read the report and DO NOT SKI AVALANCHE TERRAIN where the PWL exists, real simple.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
9,800'
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates