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Observation: Bear Trap

Observation Date
1/12/2024
Observer Name
Fluff diver
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Bear Trap
Location Name or Route
Beartrap
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Not much to say that anyone out today didn't notice- it was windy, especially close to ridgelines and above 9500'. Definitely picked up in the afternoon too.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
I couldn't get the December pwl to fail without a good pull from my shovel (and it wasQ3) but with increasing slab conditions on top of it from new snow and wind until it's buried it presents an increasingly less predictable hazard.
Comments
Overall more stable than I expected....not saying much with a sample size of 1 group on low angle terrain. Did have a ECT-N 17 at about 30cm. The best I can assume is it's really spatially variable out there overall.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
High
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High