Observation: Cedar Canyon Region

Observation Date
1/13/2024
Observer Name
Michael Bigelow
Region
Southwest » Cedar Canyon Region
Location Name or Route
Blowhard Glades
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Recent snow on very old weak layer
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
Wind loading and slab over deep, consistent facets.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
10,100'
Comments
I scouted the glades just south of Rt 14 at the high point near the Cedar Breaks Junction. Coverage was spotty, but averaged 70-80 CM in protected areas. I dug a pit on a 27 degree slope, about 50 meters below a 35 degree rollover. This was the deepest weak layer I've ever experianced. CT0. Before I finished my back cut, the upper 50 CM separated and failed completely. I cut a second column, cutting the back slowly. I was 2/3 through the cut when the same thing happend. The facets make up the entire bottom 40 CM of the snowpack. For those of us who tour around Cedar Breaks, this will be a danger for quite sometime.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
High
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High
Coordinates