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Observation: Reynolds Peak

Observation Date
12/27/2021
Observer Name
Champion/Antenucci/Gill/Ratliff
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Mill D North » Butler Fork » Reynolds Peak
Location Name or Route
Reynolds Shoulder
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Today started relatively warm with light snow and calm winds. Just after 1:00 PM, the weather began to shift. The temperature dropped, wind speeds increased, and precipitation intensity picked up again. There were moderate S/SW winds with strong gusts transporting snow on ridgelines and in trees near ridgelines. 
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
Although there has been less snowfall than was originally forecasted, the riding is still awesome in protected terrain. The light, low-density snow has certainly refreshed a lot of the low-angle skiing in the area giving us the ability to make fresh tracks while staying out of avalanche terrain.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
A small avalanche was noted on the South face of Solider Peak. Looked like a soft slab avalanche within the new snow. Image attached below.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
The persistent weak layer is still our main concern. With multiple days of snowfall and high winds - actively transporting snow, as well as more snow and wind in the forecast that layer continues to be loaded. Even though we didn't see the obvious signs of instability (i.e. cracking and collapsing) on our tour we know that with more loading, the consequences of triggering an avalanche are only increasing.
Where we dug today we did not find the obvious crust facet interface on the NE aspect, but a decomposing crust was noted within our pit profile on the NW aspect. Both pits were dug around 9000'. Within the NE facing pit, we were unable to get propagation within our pit, on the NW aspect we were able to get propagation on the ECTP30 down 50cm on facets above a decomposing crust.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
Winds died down during the beginning of our tour, but by the end of the tour, there was obvious transport occurring across all ridgetops. I would expect these continuous days of strong to moderate winds will have formed both soft and hard slab avalanches in mid and upper elevation wind drifted terrain. Prolonged high gusts will allow these slabs to become more firm and cohesive, and allow you to travel out farther onto the slope before it breaks, and can fail larger and wider than expected.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
9,100'
Comments
Soft slab avalanche noted on the South face of Solider Peak in BCC. Crown annotated as visibility was low today.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
High
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High
Coordinates