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Observation: Park City Ridgeline

Observation Date
12/25/2024
Observer Name
Torrey
Region
Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline
Location Name or Route
Park City Ridgeline
Weather
Sky
Broken
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
2 to 3 inches of new snow. Calm winds and no observed wind drifting. The cloud deck hovered near the pass and occasionally came down resulting in poor visibility. Felt humid.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Not much but it's a start!
Red Flags
Red Flags
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Several collapses extended across terrain features. Further than expected.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Today's sensitivity of the facet layer along the Park City ridgeline was surprising. I observed several collapses and had multiple unstable test results, including ECTP2 and ECTP5.
Weather Data:
Recent weather from the Empire Peak station indicates notably warm daytime high temperatures over the last six days. My guess is that the combination of previous strong winds and warm temperatures consolidated the upper snowpack and has led to the formation of a slab in this location versus other areas.
  • 12/19: 49°F
  • 12/20: 48°F
  • 12/21: 42°F
  • 12/24: 38°F
Snowpit Observations:
At 8,900':
  • A 1 cm thick, relatively soft melt-freeze crust was present just below the new snow.
Closer to the ridgeline:
  • No wind-drifted snow was observed.
  • A 12-inch thick, 1-finger hard slab was found beneath the new snow, resting on the same weak layer of facets.
The combination of a persistent weak layer, a growing slab, and additional snowfall forecasted warrants heightened caution in this area.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
8,900'
Slope Angle
27°
Comments
Photo 1: Snowpack structure found in this area. This was similar on east and west-facing slopes.
Photo 2: Grains where slab failed. 1.5mm facets. sharp and angular.
Photo 3: Look at the Daly Chutes. This is a common area for people to ski early season before the Empire chair is open. Suspect terrain I would avoid.
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Snow Pilot URL
https://snowpilot.org/node/68386