Observation: Country Lane

Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Superior » Country Lane

Country Lane

Brogue and I started early to set the first track in country lane this morning. Conditions were good. Still warmer temps but new snow falling. As we broke trail up the apron of Superior, we noticed all of the new snow falling was graupel. As we continued up, the graupel got deeper and deeper. As we reached the transition point below the choke, the graupel was now around 1-1.2 feet deep. We made our way up, digging small hand pits, assessing any slabs that may be forming on the top few inches. We did not feel any slabs and felt that we could manage the now 1.5ft of graupel slough on our descent. It was only point releasing from our steps and it was a very low likelihood it would connect to the rest of the couloir. As we made our way up, approaching the top of the couloir, the steep walls that deposit snow on the left and right of the couloir began to form small, isolated slabs around 1ft deep. The center of the line still was consolidated. We dug around some more and ultimately ended up reaching the top. Our justification for continuing was after the top 80-100ft of the descent, the slabs were non existent. Slough management was the name of the game but after descending, our sloughs had little power behind them. Overall a test of terrain management. A few takeaways from this: - If these conditions presented themselves on a more open slope with more connected terrain, wind slabs, or a less than favorable outrun like trees or cliff exposure, we likely would have not chosen to ride it. - Our biggest challenge was visibility. Being able to see is critical, especially in avalanche terrain. - I'm giving the danger rating in this area moderate in the couloir with the surface snow being the main concern. However as we stack more snow on top or experience heavier wind, that rating will go to high.

Moderate

High