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Observation: Broads Fork

Observation Date
2/9/2018
Observer Name
Hardesty, Wilson
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Broads Fork
Location Name or Route
Broads Fork
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
3"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

Similar upper few cms of snow as noted in Days Fork on Wednesday: couple inch wind crust, DF's becoming facets, wafer-thin rime crust. Some wind and sun affected snow, but found good (not excellent) skiing conditions in upper Broads.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
One size 2 natural glide avalanche noted south of the Diving Board, perhaps 1 to 3 days old NE 10,200'. Poor structure as seen below.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
9,800'
Slope Angle
30°
Comments

Photos:

  1. Poor structure on Bonkers up high; didn't like it and bailed. No collapsing or cracking noted. The last bit as we talk about: steep, thin, rocky terrain with poor structure. One pit below showed full propagation ECTP31 on basal depth hoar. Basal grains 3-4mm and damp.
  2. Damp basal depth hoar.
  3. Size 2 glide release from last 1-3 days. Old previous glide release in upper skier's right Bonkers from weeks ago. Similar size; 2.5
  4. Another recent size 1.5 glide - close up
  5. Upper elevation probing found HS of 90-130cm.
  6. Perhaps the future: we carried skis to the bridge ~7800'.

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