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Observation: Empire Pass

Observation Date
1/18/2024
Observer Name
L. Ivan
Region
Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline » Empire Pass
Location Name or Route
Empire Pass
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
PWL of faceted snow underneath a strong layer of snow creating a poor structure on the North aspect slopes.
Extended Column test yielded results of a entire snow structure failure while attempting to isolate further indicating the weak layer.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Heavy new snow from the past two days of a storm system on top of a persistent weak layer.
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
8,900'
Comments
Where we traveled today the skies were mostly clear, with few moderate gusts of wind and no precipitation.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates