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Observation: Upper Days

Observation Date
12/20/2024
Observer Name
Meisenheimer / Roxbury
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Days Fork » Upper Days
Location Name or Route
Spruces to Upper Days Fork
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Warm and sunny. I can't believe I would need skin wax this close to the Solstice.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
There are all kinds of textures out there. Unfortunately, I've never liked faceted skiing, so I would say the turning conditions are poor in my book.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
We are in bad shape this year. Shady aspects across the mid and upper elevations are going to haunt us for a long time. Sorry to be the downer here but you can kiss steep riding goodbye once we add weight to our snowpack. We are in for a very dangerous year (if it snows).
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #1 Comments
Every day of clear and cold weather will decrease the odds of triggering an avalanche as the weaker snow adjusts to the weight above. It's becoming a sandbox. However, I looked at Upper Days (Two Dogs), and there is no chance I would walk up or ski down that terrain right now. It looked wind-loaded and would be the bullseye spot to trigger an avalanche.
Comments
I am proud of our community for avoiding this terrain. Good work, everyone. It was odd to see zero tracks in all of Upper Days Fork this far after a storm.
Here are pictures of the recent avalanche in Main Days. I found it interesting how this avalanche triggered so many other avalanches on the way downhill. Looking closely, you'll see another rollover in the photo, likely triggered by the initial slide. Also, the width is impressive.
SE facing terrain at 9,800' is thin (see pic 1), and there are no issues as that snow is cooked and melted. However, it takes a subtle aspect change or a shade line, and the snowpack becomes deeper and colder with faceted snow (Landmines). Picture two is Reynolds Peak at 9,400' and is bare dirt to the summit on south facing. Ouch.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates