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Observation: Lake Martha

Observation Date
1/5/2024
Observer Name
Grant Pointon
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Lake Martha
Location Name or Route
Lake Martha/Mary
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
We noticed about 3-5" of new snow as we ascended the ridge west of Dog Lake. Snow was light initially, but began to pickup around noon.
Comments
Elev: 9700
Aspec: NW
Slope Angle: 27
Time of obs: 10:50am
We performed a rudimentary snow profile exam, and found that there was generally a progressive, smooth hardening throughout the snowpack. However, approximately 35 cm from the ground, we noticed a dramatically weaker layer of sugary snow. This layer continued down to the ground.
We observed a CT27, with a planar fracture approximately 35cm below the snow surface. The fracture seemed to trigger on a thin crust that we missed in the above snow profile (see picture). However, we did not observe propogation along this fracture line during the ECT.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates