Observation: Gobblers Knob

Observation Date
3/6/2014
Observer Name
Bruce Tremper
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Gobblers Knob
Location Name or Route
Spruces to Wilson-Gobblers
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Gun metal grey with a storm approaching. Quite warm with pre-frontal winds.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments

Wet snow below about even on shady aspects 9,000' and dry snow above. At upper elevations, there's about 3 inches of new snow several days old, which is getting just a bit granular and slightly faceted. Upper elevation, north facing still rides well, but shallow and fast. Any sun exposed snow is sun crusted and hard at upper elevations and wet at lower elevations. The new snow expected tonight will be a nice freshener.

Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Problem #1 Comments

The present snow is quite stable in most locations, at least in most parts of the Wasatch Range. So the main problem is the new snow coming in tonight. We're expecting perhaps 7 inches of new snow overnight. The snow is starting out quite warm with new snow falling on wet surfaces below about 8,000' and various kinds of refrozen crusts above that elevation and dry snow on north facing slopes above about 9,500'. I would expect the new snow to bond fairly well because it's coming in warm. The exceptions might be the refrozen crusts on the upper elevation sun exposed slopes. It's more likely that the new snow may slide on density inversions within the new snow rather than on the old snow surface.

Regardless, you should manage this avalanche concern by jumping on test slopes and constantly test how well the new snow is bonding as you travel. Since it's right on the surface, you should be able to easily dig down with your hand and pull on little blocks to see how easily it pops out as well as test slopes and slope cuts. I would expect any slabs to be soft and relatively manageable by experienced and trained travelers.

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

With any new snow storm, we always have to watch the wind slab development, especially along the upper elevation ridges and wind exposed terrain. As always, avoid steep slopes with recent wind deposits, which will look smooth and rounded.

Comments

A few photos of the day and a 2-minute video of me narrating and showing the present snow surface on my tour.

It was a dark and stormy morning - the storm approaches with typical pre-frontal gloom.

Gobbler's Knob with an old avalanche visible near the summit from a couple weeks ago.

Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate