Observation Date
2/26/2017
Observer Name
Hardesty, Wilson
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Cardiff/Mineral
Location Name or Route
Alta/Holy Toledo/Dark Ebony/GB No
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
One could see plumes up high and wind devils at the mid elevations but no wind drifting of significance noted. Isolated drifts though likely above 10,500'. Cold.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Route from Alta to Cardiff to Mineral. Stayed mostly north facing but noted damp snow on southerly pieces of terrain throughout the tour.
Red Flags
Red Flags Comments
No red flags noted; mostly confirming Evelyn's Low danger for the central Wasatch. No sluffing, no wind slab development. Skiied steep northwest, west, and east facing terrain with a stable snowpack.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Problem #1 Comments
Some consideration of snow surfaces is warranted ahead of the storm. Did not notice surface hoar development despite the high RH; and perhaps very light faceting noted in the cold surface snow. Not widespread; with stellars and dendrites a common surface snow crystal. Much, in my opinion, will depend on precipitation intensity and associated wind. Some reports of developing facet/crust situation on steep southerlies but couldn't confirm this based on terrain selection for the day.
Comments
One storm slab noted in repeat offender on slab below peak 10634 just north of Cardiac Ridge. Perhaps graupel failure with the storm from a couple days ago. Roughly ESE facing at 10200'. Pic below -
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
