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Observation: Park City Ridgeline

Observation Date
2/10/2024
Observer Name
Paradis / Brackelsberg / Kelly
Region
Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline
Location Name or Route
Park City Ridgeline
Weather
Sky
Clear
Weather Comments
Clear and cold in the morning, with increasing clouds and light snow showers by the afternoon. Not much wind. Pleasant conditions.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Great snow conditions but difficult trail breaking. Snow was generally not wind affected on most aspects traveled (W,NW). Southerly aspects received sun and could potentially have a slight crust tomorrow. Snow surface was already weakening with up to 4mm surface hoar in some spots.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Perhaps 2-3' of settled new snow with PWL still there. Steeper runs were skied by other parties during the day without any results.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
New snow easily sluffing in steeper terrain. We observed two relatively small natural loose snow slides on Murdock. See photos below. The other one was a bit larger and ran from the top.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
We didn't dig and look at it but it is still there. Gobblers avalanche today is good verification that it is still a factor, particularly in thinner snowpack areas.
Today we looked at evidence of an avalanche from the mid-January storm cycle that ran full track. This slide took out some trees and flagged others, opening up the skiing a little bit. We haven't seen this path run this far previously.
In this path, there is a long relatively low angle run out which makes it seems like you might be out of the way but this avalanche demonstrates otherwise. Some of the damage to trees is the result of the avalanche air blast.
Photo 1: avalanche run out
Photo 2: start zone
Photo 3: snow on uphill side and recently broken branches well up the tree
Photo 4: snow on uphill side of trees
Photo 5: tree pushed well into the meadow
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates