Observation: Mill Creek/PC ridgeline

Observation Date
2/1/2017
Observer Name
Jake Hutchinson AAI Level 3
Region
Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline » Mill Creek/PC ridgeline
Location Name or Route
Park City Ridgeline/Head of Millcreek
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Warm and windy
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

Our Level 3 transferred from the boring snowpack of the Upper Cottonwoods to the Park City Ridgeline today. All four groups found reactive buried surface hoar, basically encompassing the entire north half of the compass from 9000-9600 feet. The layer is obviously gaining strength but still very responsive in stability tests, essentially showing moderate to high strength, high propagation propensity, poor structure, and low friction. Our conclusions here show a low probability, high consequence event - hard to trigger, but likely to lead to dangerous avalanche conditions. Video below shows two different stability tests in two separate drainages. Footage from Caroline Gleich and Don Sharaf.

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

We found a second persistent slab problem in Home Run on an ESE facing slope, where a test on a 29 degree slope at 9300' revealed an ECTP 8 SP down 60 cm on Facets over a crust. We believe this is the same layer that the Sound of Music accident failed on a few days ago. After digging the pit, we experienced a very large collapse as one person moved back to the ridgeline, this pit was performed next to 10+ fresh tracks and caught us quite off guard, had the sloe been steeper, my conclusion is we would have seen a large avalanche.

Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
9,600'
Slope Angle
37°
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates