Snowpack

Observation: Salt Lake

jakemacarthurSalt Lake
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Quick report

Aspect
North
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Elevation
3048 m
Slope Angle
32°
Red Flags Comment
<p>Saw a few point releases that probably went yesterday in Cardiac. Well contained, did not propagate very far.</p>

Had an ECT12. Column did not pop and showed limited energy. I would call it a Quality 2 shear. Pit was in a wind loaded zone, but that was what we were interested in investigating. Skied the slope without incident and then had a fabulous day skiing a few laps on the east face of cardiac bowl.

Snowpack

Instability Comment
<p>It seemed like the biggest concern was the wind slab right off the ridges. There were some small cornices and pillows. We ski cut a few of them, but found them supportable and non-reactive. Overall, the wind loading was not very significant.</p> <p>I did find a harder layer about 30-40 cms down in the pack that was reactive to hand shears and an ECT (ECTP12). Overall, though, this layer was not super clean and had low energy - no popping out of the pit. On the many hand shears, the layer failed with moderate pressure, but was reasonably well bonded to the layers above and below. I could not see any evidence of faceting around this layer, but I wouldn't be surprised if there was a bit. The weekend's snow is consolidating enough to slab up. </p>

No new snow overnight. The previous day's snow settled a bit, but was still dreamy. Anywhere from 8 to 4 inches, actually decreasing with elevation, as noted in the forecast.