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Observation: Parleys Canyon

Observation Date
1/14/2023
Observer Name
CB
Region
Salt Lake » Parleys Canyon
Location Name or Route
Parley's Summit/Summit Park
Weather
Sky
Broken
Weather Comments
Warm temps, few clouds in the morning, increasing to bkn in the afternoon. No wind down in protected areas, with light winds at ~8k' ridge lines. No new snow as of 16:00.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Settled cold powder down to TH at ~7,300' on north aspects in the trees. MF crusts around tress from melting snow water and snow bombs and/or trees radiating heat.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Finally found some facets, although rounding and moist... Dug at 8,000' NW, HS 135cm, 4F 2-2.5mm FCxr down about 105-115cm. Reactive during CT (CTM13 SC down 115cm), with no propagation in ECT (ECTX). Upon slipping the shovel down, it fairly easily popped off the whole column. Did not have time to do PST, but I suspect it might of yielded more relevant results (considering the NFL was close to the limit of the depth of a relevant ECT and protected by a very cohesive hard slab). FCxr were moist and could kind of make a slush ball. Other than the NFL layer, the snowpack was right-side up. Shallowest snowpack I've found in a while and encouraging to see the NFL rounding and moist.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Structure still exists, and I am glad to see it healing itself in this location.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates