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Observation: Scotts Backdoor

Observation Date
12/3/2022
Observer Name
John Lemnotis
Region
Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline » Scotts Backdoor
Location Name or Route
Scotts back door
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Calm
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Today on test slopes we notes collapsing in undisturbed meadows at mid elevations in BCC. We also noted shooting cracks on test slopes. These collapses and shooting cracks were mostly on polar aspects where there were buried NSF. We also noted some collapses on solars at mid elevations where the HS was <80cm. A mf crusts capped faceted grains where the collapses were experienced.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Buried NSF are high on my radar. I did not expect to see the buried surface hoar that we found near scotts back door. I wouldve thought that the strong winds prior to the 11/29 storm wouldve destroyed these... I was wrong. I think that there are unpredictable weak layers buried at mid elevations right now. There could be many locations that are not traditionally thought as being problematic that have a combination of buried SH and NSF. This is a dicey combination that could catch any of us off guard if we do not stay diligent. I would not underestimate smaller slopes at mid elevations right now!
The video below is of a NW facing slope at 9300' in BCC - scotts back door area. ECTPE down 25 on SH/1mm fc.
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates