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Observation: Cardiff Bowl

Observation Date
1/3/2025
Observer Name
Maxwell Morrill
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Cardiff Bowl
Location Name or Route
Tetris - Cardiff Chutelettes
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #1 Comments
Didn't inspect due to the exposure but could've been from the result of temperature gradient grains/facets on the rocks
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Problem #2 Comments
Those quartzite slabs have been receiving a lot of wind loading with heavy density snows from the high S,SW,W ridge top winds.
Comments
We saw this in the afternoon when we were approaching the CARDIFF pass around 1 PM today saw a significant R1-D1+ from the quartzite slab known as Tetris in the Cardiff chutelettes. Approx size 250-300' length & 100' Wide from quartzite slab to small contour at bottom. Not sure of the trigger, maybe cornice, maybe backcountry user (???) but released from the ridge, didn't observe tracks going in with the low visibility. Looked like natural release. Didn't think much of it at the time, hence no photos. We thought it was from previous day until I saw a friends picture from 10-11am this morning, then I realized no one had reported it yet.
Depth of the debris was approximately 290cm and 9.1 feet.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates