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Observation: Bear Trap

Observation Date
3/2/2022
Observer Name
Hardesty and Craaybeek
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Bear Trap
Location Name or Route
Beartrap
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Hot. 9990' reached 46°F by early afternoon. Solitude base hit 55°F.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Faceted Loose
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Supportable corn on southerlies seemed to be the best game in town. "Hot Pow" or schmoo on the mid-elevation northerlies. Snow surfaces on northerlies aspects are faceting once again. Superficial crusts noted on northwesterlies.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Cracking
Collapsing
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
We experienced collapsing and cracking on the West Deso ridgeline. See video below.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
These soft slabs failing on the Jan/Feb drought PWL layer are a bit tricky and far from uniform. Slabs are 8-16" deep and failing on faceted grains either with or without a thin crust (easterly aspects).
West northwest aspects harbor a thin mf crust above a 10-20cm 4F slab. These aspects may be a bit trickier with any additional loading. Did not look at true west. Suspect stout crusts with the exception of highest elevations.
Easterly aspects harbor a thin superficial crust above the "slab". Weaknesses are found primarily above and again below a 5mm sun crust. Easterly aspects will be suspect with additional loading.
Northerly aspects - see video below.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
Warmest day yet. Superficial facets became damp on low elevation northerlies and it was easy to push-alanche damp wet facet sluffs into terrain traps. This trend should continue through tomorrow.
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates