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Observation: Butler Basin

Observation Date
12/20/2021
Observer Name
Cody Hughes
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Butler Fork » Butler Basin
Location Name or Route
Butler Basin
Red Flags
Red Flags
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Large collapse on second lap in Butler basin. Quick snowpit and brief synopsis in the video below.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
The writing is on the wall. Still getting thundering collapses and shooting cracks days after the last storm. The snowpack is fragile and the facets very weak.
Comments
I will continue to live by my Golden Rule in the backcountry. 'Never ski slopes where persistent weak layer lives'. The low angle meadow skipping is so fun right now with the low sun angle and fast powder snow. With time and patience I have faith the mountains will invite us in eventually..
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable