Observation: Wilson Peak

Observation Date
11/15/2022
Observer Name
R. Kosinski
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Wilson Peak
Location Name or Route
Wilson Peak
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Wind was coming out of the north today and loading south facing ridge lines. While there were north and south facing ridgelines that had been loaded, I did not find any significant wind slab in my travels.
Comments
Started touring up Butler Fork around 0900 under a cold, clear sky with a light breeze. By 1030, south facing slopes were getting intense UV but the light breeze was keeping the snow surface cold and locked up. Winds were moderate on ridgelines; there was increasing cloud cover and decreasing winds throughout the day. North slopes stayed bitterly cold throughout the day.
I preformed an ECT and Shovel Shear test on a N facing pit at 9k' in a sheltered area below Wilson peak. Total depth was 85cm with a weak layer of graupel at 40cm. ECT and Shovel Shear test produced null results. It appeared that just about any skiable, steep slope in this area had been heavily skied with no indications of avalanches or sluffing. Some of the surface hoar is getting huge and there is a lot of spatial variability in the top layer.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low
Coordinates