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Observation: Brighton Perimeter

Observation Date
12/16/2024
Observer Name
B
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Brighton Perimeter
Location Name or Route
Upper Big Cottonwood Canyon
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
CLR in the am with increasing cloud cover throughout the day. Occasional Wintery Mix and Graupel that was only sprinkles. SW Winds remained active even at mid elevations with Light Wind Blown and or Transport. Temperatures Rose Rapidly.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Rain-Rime Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Dense Loose would not be the best description, more like dense and thick. Snow surface and riding conditions continue to take a hit and become more variable. Riding was "surfy" in many places, yet the bottom would drop out in others. Trail Breaking in the bottomless areas takes you down to the Basal Facets. The real problem is that before this last storm, you could see most of the obstacles, and steer around them to avoid them. This latest coating of new snow has now just barely buried many rocks and stumps and travel is actually more challenging in many locations. Our early season thin cover continues to be a real hazard.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
As reported from the Wolverine Cirque, it is still possible to trigger (even remotely) large dangerous avalanches; yet these locations appear to be Isolated to the certain Upper Elevation locations that have a cohesive slab that had a contributing factor of Wind Loading from the recent event. That being said, many steep lines have been ridden without consequences, and irregardless, the Widespread Poor Snowpack Structure can be found on almost all aspects and elevations. The tricky part is with these latest warm temperatures the overlying Slab is becoming less sensitive, more stubborn and less reactive; and subsequently one may find themselves well down a slope before the possibility of triggering it becomes a reality.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
The Persistent Slab Problem appears to be the only one of consequence right now, see above. The collapsing and cracking that was observed in the same areas on Sunday settled out considerably on Monday. Still being able to find a moderate shear in a density change in the storm, but only in Isolated locations, and it appeared Very Unlikely this issue would a problem of concern. Low Probability/High Consequence Moderate appeared to be the Danger observed.
Snow Profile
Elevation
9,200'
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates