Observation: Patsy Trees

Observation Date
12/1/2023
Observer Name
Champion/Talty/Collett
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Grizzly Gulch » Patsy Trees
Location Name or Route
Patsy Trees
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Decent storm day, with moderate snowfall throughout the tour. Winds were light when the tour began, picking up to moderate. Snowfall totals around 8" of new snow.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
8"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Approx 2-3" of new snow when the tour began, and up to 5-6" by the time we wrapped up our tour. The new snowfall was very cold, and low-density. It was not bonding well to the old snow surface, and prretty sensitive by the end of the day.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
The overall snowpack structure is weak. Where we dug there was a facet crust interface near the ground.
Snow Profile
Aspect
West
Elevation
10,000'
Slope Angle
24°
Comments
Headed out today to get an idea of the snow surface prior to the storm, and get a better idea for the westerly-facing aspects. Overall, we found a snowpack depth around to 90cm at 10,000'. The westerly facing aspects do not look as weak the northerly, and easterly facing aspects - but a poor snowpack structure does still exist with a stout, 1F+ melt freeze crust near the ground, with dry facets above it and damp facets below it. We were looking to see if any near-surface facets, or buried surface hoar was preserved and while we could see the new snow old snow interface within the pit wall, we were unable to pull out any intact surface hoar.
I think the primary issue tomorrow will be the new snow, old snow instability for the westerly facing aspects but as we move into the weekend and add more water weight to the snowpack I would guess that westerly-facing aspects will step down to the facets.
Snow covered trees.
Snowpit at 10,000' on a west-facing aspect of upper LCC.
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates