Observation: Salt Lake

Observation Date
12/26/2013
Observer Name
Jake Hutchinson
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
North Sound of Music - Park City Ridgeline
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Enough wind to move snow around, my skin track was partially filled in on each lap
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Rain-Rime Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

Rime crust was extremely variable and only really present at the highest parts of the ridge. Some places it was fully supportable, others breakable and annoying but skiable but mostly zipper....

Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
We are in that scary "considerable" problem. Structure is awful - my pit had 5/5 lemons, propogation propensity is high and strength is moderate - the facets are adjusting to the load and gaining some strength, but if you find the trigger spot, it's likely to be a large avalanche. Terrain and slope angle choices are key until something changes.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Problem #1 Comments

The broken record continues. With the shallow snowpack and impending high pressure I doubt the snow will gain much if any strength before it is subjected to the next load.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #2 Comments

Smaller and more manageable, but the possibility a small wind pocket pulls out something bigger remains in the back of my mind

Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
9,200'
Slope Angle
26°
Comments

Snow pit test results were dramatic and repeatable multiple times. (sorry no video - battery died) I did several ECT's in a few spots on the slope, all showed full propagation with dramatic collapse in each. Scores ranged from 20-24. To summarize, poor structure, high Propagation propensity and mod/high strength - the kind of test that can fool you into thinking a slope is more stable than it is by paying too much attention to the strength and ignoring the other two factors.

On a positive note, the Canyons patrons seem to be giving most steep slopes a wide berth in most cases - a nice change from other periods of challenging snow pack problems.

Forecaster Note - we at the UAC are the envy of all the other forecast centers nationwide with the unbelievable quality of reports from the backcountry. Thanks Jake and thanks to all the folks submitting reports.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable