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Observation: Patsy Marly

Observation Date
11/27/2024
Observer Name
Zimmerman-Wall
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Grizzly Gulch » Patsy Marly
Location Name or Route
Patsy Marley
Weather
Sky
Broken
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Clearing skies 10-12pm. Increasing cloud 12-4pm. Light snowfall did not accumulate. Sun was able to penetrate clouds and warm snow surfaces. Temperatures remained cold in the shade. Winds were well behaved even on exposed ridgelines in the afternoon.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
New snow was supportable with ski penetration of 10-20cm. Riding quality was very good to excellent, espeically on lower angle slopes to avoid rocks/brush. The middle afternoon a subtle greenhousing event took place and did damage to snow surfaces on slopes facing South and West. Some near surface facets over a melt freeze crust (radiation recrystalization process) was observed on slopes kissed by the sun.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Problem #1 Comments
Only notable activity was long running loose dry avalnaches in steep sustained terrain near rock bands. Size 1. Several noted in Wolverine Cirque along the west facing terrain.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
10,300'
Slope Angle
15°
Comments
Tour up Grizzly under Emma Ridges to Twin Lakes Pass. Then up to Patsy shoulder. My main objective was to look for wind slab over the weak snow and test for propagation. I did not see any cracking or collapsing and did not find any wind slab. Two ECTs at 9800' and 10300' respectively did not propagate. The overlying slab is still too soft in the areas I visited. Lots of tracks on every aspect with large groups sessioning the upper Patsy Face with no results.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates