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Observation: Raymond Peak

Observation Date
1/23/2018
Observer Name
mark white
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Raymond Peak
Location Name or Route
Mt Raymond East Facing
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
A few scattered clouds in the morning, just enough to keep the SE facing from going off until afternoon, not much wind to speak of and it didn't get overly hot.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

Powder on all aspects in the AM, S and SE was damp by the afternoon.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Comments

Headed up to Raymond via Buttler Fork, the plan was to stick to the E and SE facing and stay away from the more suspect north aspects. We were a little worried about the sun but some low hanging clouds kept things cool until the sun angle moved around enough to keep wet activity to minimum. The S and SE did get damp by afternoon and will be crusted in the morning. The snow pack on Raymond varied from 2 to 3 feet deep and the upper portions are surprisingly filled in. There where many large sluffs on the main face which occurred during the weekend storm but no actual crowns. We did experience one large and loud collapse on the upper ridge line when my partner pulled his ski off and his foot broke through the crust and into the facets on the north side of the ridge line which makes sense seeing no one has been on Raymond lately. There is a poor snow pack structure on the E facing but there was not enough of a slab on top to activate it, multiple steep lines were skied with no activity.

Photos: sluffing on the main face, minimal wet activity on the SE facing.

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