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Observation: Cardiff Fork

Observation Date
4/4/2022
Observer Name
Manship, Collette, Wilson
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Cardiff Fork
Location Name or Route
Cardiff Fork
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
The day started out clear and sunny but progressively got cloudy and windier as weather moved in.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
It was a mixed bag out there as expected. Anything except for high, steep NW, N, and NE has been affected by the sun. You can find some good snow on those aspects in sheltered terrain up high. There was developing wind affect as well, if you like breakable crust there is a large variety.
Comments
Overall weather is moving in. South facing is very supportable. The less solar, and low angle north have a variety of breakable crusts at mid and upper elevations. One interesting thing we noticed was faceting of the surface snow from the last storm. This was mainly on north facing aspects at upper elevations that have not seen much sun or wind. We also found this faceting below wind crusts in NE and NW aspects. On steeper terrain it was hard to get an edge in without sliding and minor dry sluffing was noted with it. This is in very specific terrain but it will be interesting to see if we get a load on what this surface snow may do.
You need to be creative with your skiing choices out there but travel is easy and snow is still not bad in places.
Photo below of some old avalanche debris in Mineral Fork.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates