Observation: Patsy Marly

Observation Date
3/30/2024
Observer Name
Gagne
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Grizzly Gulch » Patsy Marly
Location Name or Route
Patsy Marley
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
South
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Sustained winds from the south along exposed ridgelines.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
6"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
The density of the fresh snow was elevation-dependent, with dry snow above 9,500'.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Cracking
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Wind-loaded slopes were sensitive. Most drifts were shallow (< 15 cms), but one drift was up to 45 cms thick.
Comments
Outside of wind-affected terrain, the new snow was unreactive to ski cuts or other quick stability tests, but any slope that was wind-loaded was reactive. Most drifts were shallow (< 15 cms) but avalanches were propagating widely. A ski cut on a wind-loaded north-facing slope avalanched down 45 cms, failing on the temperature crust that formed during Friday's warmup. It seemed that *any* amount of wind-drifting created sensitive soft slabs.
Photos of
- shallow soft slab of wind-drifted snow on east aspect off of Twin Lakes Pass ridgeline
- deeper soft slab of wind-drifted snow on north aspect off of Patsy Marley ridgeline
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates