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Observation: Big Cottonwood Canyon

Observation Date
4/15/2022
Observer Name
Kennedy/Mario
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon
Location Name or Route
WIllow Fork/SW of Will's Hill
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Cornice
Problem #1 Comments
Observed some sizable cornices off the PC ridgeline (pictures below) - the winds have been working overtime for the past few days.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Problem #2 Comments
Didn't specifically observe any wet activity, but the snow certainly warmed up by the end of the day - our exit was pretty sloppy. Will definitely get started earlier next time.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Southwest
Elevation
9,400'
Comments
Weather was interesting today - we had sun, snow, wind, and everything in between.
First and second pictures are of my snowpit. Second picture shows hand hardness test - new snow was fist and the bottom 12-16" was 1-finger hardness, but everything in between was hard as a rock. I would have had to have pulled out my knife.
Third and fourth pictures are of the cornices on the PC ridgeline. Sort of hard to see, but they were big and actively being formed by the gusty winds coming from the SW.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates