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Observation: Raymond Glade

Observation Date
3/28/2024
Observer Name
Gagne/Hardesty/Donner
Region
Salt Lake » Mill Creek Canyon » Porter Fork » Raymond Glade
Location Name or Route
Porter Fork - Raymond Glade
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Breezy SW winds along exposed ridges. Rain at the Porter Fork trailhead at 9 am; wet snow exiting at 2 pm.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
1"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Crusted snow below 7,000' with dense snow above that elevation. 45-60 cms of settled storm snow since Sunday, March 24.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Red Flags Comments
More in comments below.
Comments
Our field day involved visiting the site of a human-triggered avalanche on Raymond Glade that occurred on Wednesday, March 27 where the rider who was caught and carried sustained a broken arm, but the party was able to self-rescue. We dug a pit on a slope adjacent to the crown and got full propagation with an extended column test (photo below). Because of hangfire, we were unable to safely access the crown, but we were able to move down a lower-angled slope adjacent to the slide path, and enter the bed surface approximately 500' below the starting zone. This portion of the slope had less wind-loading than in the starting zone, but the weak layer consisting of low-density stellars down 30-35 cms was still present. We performed several extended column tests along the flank of the avalanche, with full propagation in 6 tests, failing between 15 and 20 taps. However, on an adjacent slope 15' away, extended column tests were either ECTN (fracture but not propagation) or ECTX (no fracture). These mixed results show why you need to dig in several areas and never rely on one pit result.
After looking at this avalanche and the results of pit scores indicate recent density inversions remain reactive and likely will be sensitive for at least a few more days.
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates