Observation Date
1/4/2017
Observer Name
Jake Hutchinson
Region
Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline
Location Name or Route
Park City Ridgeline North of 9990
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Snowing and blowing!! lots of snow falling and moving around. visibility was very limited.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
6"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
mostly wind packed snow. Trail breaking went from easy to brutal. Very upside down in most places I travelled
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Red Flags Comments
Nuking snow and wind. Easily triggered cornices and wind slabs. Didn't need a shovel to understand what was going on today.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
See comments above and photos/video below
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
I didn't see any evidence of the NSF/SF that existed prior to this storm event, but I know it's out there.
Comments
Did a quick test pit on a NE facing slope after triggering a much wider and deeper than expected cornice/wind slab on a test slope I frequently abuse. Test results didn't match real life. A good lesson not to put all your eggs in one snow pit...
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High
