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Observation: Days Fork
Observation Date
12/6/2022
Observer Name
Torrey
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Days Fork
Location Name or Route
Days Fork
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Beaut of a day. Single-digit temps in the pre-dawn hours with moderate ridgetop winds. Temps warmed through the day and ridge-top winds tapered. S and SE took on heat and had a thin and fragile subsurface crust as we exited.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Snow depths are generally 1.5 m to 1.75 m above 9000'
Red Flags
Red Flags
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
The snowpack was mostly quiet. One localized collapse on a north aspect around 9000' as a skier stepped out of their skis and sunk into the snowpack.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
I've spent the last several days skiing and digging in Days Fork and have found poor structure with a slab sitting above a layer of facets in each pit. The slab varies in thickness and hardness depending on the slopes exposure to the strong wind event Nov 29-30. I have not noticed any avalanche activity failing on the persistent weak layer within this drainage. John Lemnotis did report
this avalanche
in Banana Days on Dec. 1
Test results have consistently produced propagation with moderate to hard force. ECTP 13, ECTP 29x2, ECTP31x2 and PST End 38/100. The weak layer is buried 60-80cm below the surface in the area and was not showing significant signs of strengthening or rounding where I observed. The recent avalanche activity along the Park City ridge line provides a clear example of the type of avalanche and potential size we're dealing with (
example 1
,
example 2
,
example 3
). The conditions in this area might be more stubborn to trigger than seen elsewhere but still possible.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
9,600'
Slope Angle
32°
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates