Observation: Bear Trap

Observation Date
12/18/2022
Observer Name
Carie
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Bear Trap
Location Name or Route
Beartrap Aspens
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
The PWL in this pit was unreactive and seemed more consolidated than has been reported in other locations, possibly from heavy skiing in the area, though I dug at a spot with no nearby visible tracks from the most recent storm cycle.
Snow Profile
Aspect
West
Elevation
9,000'
Comments
After a glorious day touring at an undisclosed location on Saturday, with outstanding snow and good riding in low angle terrain, we decided to brave the crowds for some tree laps at Beartrap. The sun was shining so I decided to get the shovel out for a quick pit-dig. Found two obvious crusts sandwiching a 4F layer below the rightside-up snow from the last storm cycle. The storm snow slid easily on the upper crust in a shovel test, but the 4F sandwich layer was unreactive. No signs of instability on this or adjacent slopes we skied other than some small roller balls from the T-shirt-warm day in the sun.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low
Coordinates