Observation: Park City Ridgeline

Observation Date
1/26/2024
Observer Name
Hardesty, Wilson, Torrey, O’Connor
Region
Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline
Location Name or Route
Monitors to Beartrap
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
North
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Thursday rime from the south, light wind from the north today.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Glorious.
Red Flags
Red Flags Comments
None. Did experience one localized collapse along the PC ridgline proper above South Monitor but would not "count it" per se: total depth there in this wind stripped area was 16" - a bit of wind drifted soft slab over 10" of facets.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
What we found along the PC ridge: in many cases, the "slab" is now generally 3' thick or more and considered a hard slab - pencil hard above 4F+ facets. No collapsing or cracking noted or expected. This layering may be more unstable in shallower rocky terrain, particularly along the periphery of the Cottonwoods and in Provo.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Problem #2 Comments
Expect wet loose on solars in the coming days with warming temps...and variable cloud cover.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates