Observation: Butler Fork

Observation Date
12/29/2021
Observer Name
R. Kosinski
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Butler Fork
Location Name or Route
Butler Fork
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
PWL is under a lot of stress with around 4" of SWE being added in the last week. I was surprised when the clouds lifted this morning to not see a natural avalanche cycle. In fact, I couldn't spot a single slide in what I could see of the BCC forks and Gobbler's area.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
There has been a lot of wind transport over this last storm cycle. Wind slabs and cornices are quite prevalent on ridgelines.
Comments
Started touring late this morning up Butler Fork. Throughout the day I poked around most areas in the drainage. I was happily surprised to not experience any cracking or collapsing in what I expected to be a snowpack in the balance. The new snow came in right side up and was not sluffing. It is obvious that north facing slopes have been getting wind loaded along ridgelines at mid and high elevations. Frankly things are looking very good and coverage has improved exponentially.
With all this new snow, lower and south facing elevations are riding very well. There is really no reason to be riding terrain that falls in the "considerable" zone of the rose. Most accidents happen during "considerable" danger!
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High
Coordinates