Observation: Brighton

Observation Date
12/15/2022
Observer Name
Engel
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Brighton
Location Name or Route
Brighton-->Hidden Canyon
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Wind slabs built up above the chutes in Hidden Canyon. Remotely triggered minor wind slabs from above, below, and to the side of the wind drifted snow. There are 2-4 foot tall wind drifts just below the Hidden Canyon traverse and they can definitely be remotely triggered from heavy traffic above.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Over 20 inches in the last 72 hours have created a great amount of loading on the old weak layer of snow. Slowly, I believe this increasing snowfall is slowly making the snowpack safer as the PWL is now buried below 2+ feet of snow. Still, this heavy loading event has caused increased load on top of the wind drifts that have made this area hazardous.
Comments
Isolated wind drifts and cracking observed above the chutes in Hidden Canyon. Remotely triggered a 4-5 foot wide wind slab about 6-8 inches deep. Even while keeping a very generous distance from the very clear pockets of wind-drifted snow, isolated wind-drifts were observed. The wind slabs I observed myself may not have been hazardous but I kept lots of distance from the big wind drifts. This wind drifted snow definitely poses a hazard to Brighton skiers exiting the gate at Hidden Canyon, especially since many travelers in this area go solo and without a beacon (like I mistakenly did this morning). Following the traverse past the chutes and into the trees leads to a safer area with less wind drift but following the traverse to get there could prove to be devastating.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates