Observation: Bonanza Flats
Observation Date: 
02/2/2018
Observer Name: 
Hardesty, Torrey

Region:

  • Salt Lake
Location Name or Route: 
Greater Bonanza Flats area
Weather
Sky: 
Broken
Precipitation: 
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction: 
Northwest
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Weather Comments: 
Only a trace or so during the day. Moderate northwest winds even at mid slope and mid elevation.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions: 
Powder
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Rain-Rime Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments: 

Still good skiing and riding outside of sun, temp, and wind damaged snow. 

Red Flags
Red Flags: 
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments: 
Poor snowpack structure more of a "yellow flag" . One collapse on a microterrain feature where the snow was particularly shallow and had a bit of extra wind effect. Photo below. North facing 9200' east side of Guardsman Pass.
Comments: 

Went to eyeball this reported avalanche from yesterday from Zach and Cyndi Grant.  Significant class 2+ avalanche in heavily wind loaded terrain harboring old weak snow.  Looks to have been triggered by snowmobilers on the slope.  See photo. 

Did not find unstable snow in the rainshadow of the Wasatch Crest.  Multiple snow tests and snow pits that showed some fairly poor structure that might fail with heavy loading.  See profiles below.  

Wildlife highlight was a snowshoe hare.

Photo of Lavina Creek slide.

Bo Torrey just next to crack/collapse in unrepresentative shallow snowpack area w recent wind.  

Today's Observed Danger Rating: 
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating: 
Moderate
Snow Profile Coordinates: 
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