Observation: Mineral Fork

Observation Date
12/22/2016
Observer Name
Brackelsberg
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Mineral Fork
Location Name or Route
Mineral Fork
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Observed a thick layer of buried graupel on NE facing slope at 9200' Observed large facet layer on NW aspect at 10,100'
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

The facet layer on the NW aspect was mixed in with grass and shrubs and was the bottom ~6" of the snowpack. Above this layer were 2 slabs of 1F or harder with a very weak (F) layer between them.

Comments

A couple of quick hand pits uncovered a couple of concerning weak layers on both the NE and NW aspects.

I was surprised by how large the graupel layer on the NE aspect was. This being sandwiched between 2 much harder layers made our decision to stay on lower angle terrain on the NE aspect.

I was curious to the amount of facets on the NW aspect since it was almost identical aspect as Birthday Chutes. It had a significant facet layer, but lacked the wind loading to create the hard slab present in Birthday Chutes since this slope was well protected with trees on the top.

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