Observation Date
12/6/2024
Observer Name
Grainger
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Stairs Gulch
Location Name or Route
Stairs Gulch/Broads
Comments
Travel up Broads into the top of Stairs Gulch to look at coverage and snow surface before (hopefully) a new layer.
N and NE aspects above 8000' were a sandbox of 1-3mm facets with very little evidence of layering from Oct. and Nov. snow. Full-depth boot, pole, and in some places ski penetration with HS 30-55cm across a lot of Bonkers.
My main concerns coming up will be both faceted-surface weakness and the 1F-1F+ créme brulée wind skin that covers portions of alpine faces (Pic 1). Terrain-dependant, this layer may allow a larger future load on top before it fails with wider, more connected propagation.
The strongest snowpack I found was surprisingly on the NNW 10,000' Stairs Gulch headwall (Pic 3). HS 87cm, aside from the surface this pit had decent structure with no weak basal facets. ECTP2 just underneath the surface wind skin and only a hard SST pulled the column over, truly at the ground.
Evidence of small early-season glides were present high on Bonkers (Pic 2).
Solar portion of the compass will be of little concern with how little snow is left (Pic 4).
Mid and low-elevation drainages continue to take advantage of high pressure. Obligatory SH Pic (5).
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low
Coordinates