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Observation: Cottonwood Ridgeline

Observation Date
2/7/2023
Observer Name
John Lemnotis
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Cottonwood Ridgeline
Location Name or Route
Upper LCC/Days Fork
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
North
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
The sun was out in full effect today. Cold powder on souths on the skin up flagstaff at 0900 and by the exit at 1500 it was crusty and heavy survival skiing. The N winds were transporting snow over Superior this morning and we experienced several moderate gusts throughout the day with little transport to be seen on the LCC ridgeline.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Souths went from cold powder in the morning to damp and crusty by the afternoon. E aspects took some heat as well with several point releases noted from rocky terrain running long distances in slopes >35 degrees. Polars maintained their integrity throughout the day with cold settled storm snow being plentiful on N-NE that we touched today.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
While we did cross some wind loaded terrain today cracking was minimal and the loaded slopes were stubborn. The name of the game from our perspective today was the sun. Solars took a lot of heat including E facing terrain. On our exit down the emmas at 1500 it was easy to trigger wet loose slides in terrain steeper than 35 degrees. Natural activity was noted on E facing terrain with rocky trigger points.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
As stated above, sun/heat was our primary concern today. Pictured below is a natural realease from E facing rocky terrain at 9800' as well as a wet loose triggered by a skier turn on S facing terrain at 10k
Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates