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Observation: Snake Creek

Observation Date
1/16/2025
Observer Name
Ryan Shea
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Brighton Perimeter » Snake Creek
Location Name or Route
snake creek / lavina creek
Red Flags
Red Flags
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
significant variability in snow depths ranging from 70-95 cm and snow surface ranging from recycled pow to wind slab to wet snow but the one consistent thing was the PWL from ground to about 15 cm up from the ground
quick CT test showed failure at CT 27, 15 cm above the ground on facets at a 28 degree slope at 8400, but snow depth was 95 cm here, so this pwl was likely insulted from the CT test. i feel an ECT would have showed a much quicker failure.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
wet snow did produce some roller balls while skiing where the sun was most intense, but was not any further threat on this slope
This area above lavina creek just above snake creek drainage is West facing w some rolling to SW and some to NW. Anything in or tilted toward the sun was wet.
anything in trees or tilting NW was faceted or wind slabbed but had some good turns where trees shadowed or protected
Comments
Highly variable surface and snow depths from 70-95 cm but most of the area had a strong 1F slab mid pack sitting on 15 cm of faceted bed surface that remains a future threat when we get some descent snow, but for this area danger was low today.
snowpit was 8400 ft W facing at 28 degress w failure at CT 28
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low
Coordinates