Observation: Bells Canyon

Observation Date
3/4/2023
Observer Name
Andy
Region
Salt Lake » Bells Canyon
Location Name or Route
Bells Canyon
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Went for a tour back in Bells Canyon on 3/4 with the goal of skiing the chute in the picture, which is directly south of the trail turnoff for Bells Canyon Waterfall. Unfortunately, my partner and I ended up turning around due to snow stability issues. I performed an ECT about 400ft above the chute entrance. The top three feet of the snow pack was composed of 60% grapple (F) and 40 % moderately soft snow (4F), that was bonded fairly cohesively. This was really surprising given the amount of grapple in this top layer. The top two feet failed after 4 wrist taps, though no significant propagation was observed. Despite the lack of propagation, my partner and decided to turn around, since this is a fairly commiting line, that has scattered 40 degree++ sections. Two days prior, I toured about 3.5 miles back into Bells to do some low angle, west facing glade skiing, and did not observe this massive grapple layer, so hopefully it only exists on the north facing aspects in Bells.
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
6,700'
Today's Observed Danger Rating
High
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High
Coordinates