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Observation: Park City Ridgeline

Observation Date
1/14/2023
Observer Name
ZSmith
Region
Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline
Location Name or Route
West Monitor
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Rapid Warming
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Cornice
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Large, sculpted cornices on leeward sides of ridge lines. Cornice broke off on the Monitors and slid maybe 200 ft. likely Thursday or Friday. Did not entrain any additional snow. See the attached picture for details. The incoming storm will likely create additional wind loading and fragile cornices.
Comments
We skinned up to Willow Knob and then around to peak 10,009 and then skied down Will's Hill, finishing on Little Willow. Thin, brittle melt/freeze crust on lower elevations and on most aspects other than sheltered areas and northeast to north and northwest aspects. No cracking or collapses observed however we still stayed well back from the cornices on the ridge line. Skiing was good with soft, surfy powder on sheltered slopes on the north end of the compass.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates