Observation Date
4/6/2024
Observer Name
Kelly, Tremper, Hauser
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Guardsman Pass area
Location Name or Route
Guardsman Pass Area
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Winds were moderate gusting to strong blowing from the west-southwest. Skies were mostly overcast with periods of obscured sky and periods of blue sky and sun poking through during the day. It felt a lot more like January than April out there today. Temperatures were in the mid-teens °F and nearby weather stations were reading winds gusting from the northwest; although ridge-tops where we travelled were blowing more west-southwest.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
7"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Snowfall was moderate to heavy throughout the day with approximately 6"-7" of settled new snow. Snowfall density was low but areas where the wind had whipped it around was more of a medium density. The snow surface was primarily powder snow with a very stout 1F+ melt-freeze crust under the newest snow. Lower angle slopes were better skiing as turns were less likely to be affected by the melt-freeze crust. Even due north terrain at 10,000' still had a melt-freeze crust under the newest snow.
Photo of wind-drifted snow and melt freeze crust on a north-west facing ridge at 10,200'
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
This morning the newest snow needed a bit of wind to be a problem. We were able to trigger isolated wind-drifted snow pockets underneath cornices on steep north-east facing slopes at 9,400' (photo below). This was running on a dusty density change 1"-2" off of the melt-freeze crust and was isolated to ski width and not running particuarly far on test slopes. Steeper sustained areas in the wind-zone would be different and I imagine would have been touchier today. There is lots of snow available for transport and with strong winds these
leeward slopes will continue to load and may be sensitive for the next couple of days.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Cornice
Problem #2 Comments
We observed new cornice growth. The old cornices were very stiff and it would take a significant warm-up to shake them loose as things currently stand. The newest cornices were sensitive (see above photo).
Photo of old/new cornice 9,300' northeast facing slope.
On slopes less than 30 ° in steepness the avalanche danger was LOW. On steeper slopes in the wind-zone you may have found sensitive slabs of wind-drifted snow and the avalanche danger may have been MODERATE with places reaching CONSIDERABLE as snowfall and winds continued throughout the day. Today, we managed the avalanche hazard by sticking to lower angle terrain out of the wind-zone.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates
