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Observation: Catherine's Pass

Observation Date
11/22/2023
Observer Name
Zimmerman-Wall
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Catherine's Pass
Location Name or Route
Catherines Pass
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Warm in the sun, cool in the shade.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Depending on aspect you could find up to 12" of settled storm snow from the last event ending Monday. On the Northerly aspects in upper LCC/BCC there is variable HS of 50-90cm. On South and West it is only the setteled storm snow with lots of bare rock outcroppings exposed.
I only spent time digging one profile on a North Aspect at 10,100' to get an average structure. I then probed around looking for the depth and distribution of the most concerning crust/facet combo that folks from around the canyon have been tracking. In my profile it was down about 55cm. To my surprise, I did not get propagating results in ECT or sudden results in CT on this layer. But there are plenty of obs from many trusted sources indicating propagation in tests at similar aspects and elevations at this layer interface. The slab characteristics were quite soft here and there was no evidence of wind effect.
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
10,100'
Slope Angle
20°
Comments
Photo tour of upper LCC and BCC. With a peek into AF. I wanted to show coverage before the next storm starting Thursday/Friday.
1. South Facing LCC from Superior to Emma Ridges
2. Sunset Peak in upper BCC
3. Catherine's Pass East facing and Rocky Point
4. Rocky Point Avalanche Crown visible.
5. Upper Dry Fork of AF
6. Moguls on So Long
7. Catherines ECT and Profile wall
Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates