Observation: Patsy Trees

Observation Date
4/12/2022
Observer Name
C. Alden and A. Lethaby
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Grizzly Gulch » Patsy Trees
Location Name or Route
Patsy Marley Trees
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Saw significant wind transport loading primarily East but varying aspects today. Made ski cuts on several test slopes on varying aspects and found shooting cracks 5ft out from my skis on on slopes that had been wind loaded (See attached photo). What was surprising today was how wind spread the wind loading was. While primarily loading east aspects, there was significant wind transport occurring below tree line as well which caused the wind to be loading a number of different aspects from S through E through N depending on the terrain feature. Additionally, the wind filled in our tracks in as little as 10 minutes in the more open areas. It seemed like every small terrain feature, tree or skintrack was forming wind lips up to 3 ft deep in the open areas and to a lesser extent in the trees. I would be suspect of these slopes for the next few days as it doesn't look like the wind is going anywhere and there is plenty of snow available to transport.
Comments
Also to note, it felt like the new snow was bonding well to the melt crust from 4/8. Test slopes unaffected by the wind saw little cracking or propagation from ski cuts.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates