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Observation: Little Cottonwood Canyon

Observation Date
12/5/2024
Observer Name
John Lemnotis
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon
Location Name or Route
Upper LCC
Weather
Sky
Clear
Weather Comments
Sunny, warm, and plenty of fresh air at upper elevations in the Wasatch.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Faceted Loose
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Snow surfaces in upper LCC are exactly what you'd expect after a lull in early season storms. Polars and shady aspects hold softer snow on NSF (near surface facets) from several clear cool nights while solars/sunny aspects contain a stout crust in the AM that softens with the afternoon sun. There is also some strange brown substance you can see on solars, I think the mountain bikers call it dirt.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
The structure of our snowpack is poor. Starting to log some miles around the range and as the forecast has told everyone there are plenty of facets. Depending on the aspect that I touched today... there are basal facets (at the ground) on polar aspects and facets in the middle of the snowpack sandwiched between several crusts on W aspects. These are present at mid and upper elevations for the polars and I only found significant facets at upper elevations on W aspects.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
As soon as there is a significant load introduced to these various faceted layers they will be tested and we will definitely see avalanches. For now, take note of slopes that don't contain this dangerous weak layer for when it does eventually start to snow again.
Snow Profile
Elevation
10,100'
Slope Angle
21°
Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates