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Observation: Patsy Marly

Observation Date
1/5/2024
Observer Name
Chris Benson
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Grizzly Gulch » Patsy Marly
Location Name or Route
Patsey Marley
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Hst by 13:00 was 5-10 cm around 10K. NW winds had already transported E, SE and crossloaded some Southerly aspects into drifts up to 20cm deep. These drifts were just starting to get slabby but did not produce any cracking.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
North aspects had FC and occasional P -hard slabs overlying DH.
South aspects have basal DH, several stout MF crusts intermixed with buried near-surface facets.
Stubborn test results on both N and S aspects (CT30SC@70cm down) with low propagation potential (ECTX, PSTX).
However, these weak layers (and shallower near-surface-facets) will likely become reactive or touchy with incoming snow/wind.
Comments
N aspect on Desolation Ridge on 20240104
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates