Quick report
- Red Flags
- Recent Avalanches, Heavy Snowfall, Wind Loading, Cracking, Collapsing, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Poor snowpack structure appears to be an issue that will be with us for some time forward. Of note, one of the steep skiing Wasatch Legends was spotted riding only low angle terrain today and his comments when approaching a steep line were pronouncing it was too bold of a line for the conditions we are experiencing. See rest of the observation for details on the rest of the red flags. </p>
Due to the lack of natural activity out there today, the danger appeared to be a very high consequence Moderate, and Sunday's may remain the same if the winds and new snow totals do not ramp up much past their forecast values.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Of note, huge and booming collapse experienced on descent down the Wolverine Sneak Exit, and this occurred 15 feet above a preexisting skin track from the morning. Reports from the individual that made the ascending skin track up to Wolverine indicated they had not experienced any collapsing on their route. Collapsing was experienced on an ESE aspect with a slope angle of 35 degrees and an elevation of 10,000 feet. Collapse was heard from a significant distance and radiated out down slope and at least 100 feet from triggering point. Slab appears to be stiffening significantly with the additional load and wind distribution. </p> <p>Overnight activity noted in avalanche report from Millicent and Brighton Back Bowls, along with reports from Cardiac Ridge/Ivory, appear to validate the significant natural activity that occurred during the high PI and wind event on Friday evening. These wind slabs appeared more stubborn on Saturday, but with the underlying persistent weak layers in the snow pack, this problem may linger and noteworthy still on Sunday. </p>
13 cm overnight of moderate density snow due to the winds, and sustained storm totals from mid week are now at least 50 cm. Of note, in the mid elevation protected areas the upper 10 cm of new snow was very light. West facing slopes had a bit of wind damage, and some upper elevation north aspects did as well. Besides this, it was superb powder riding from the peaks down to the trailhead.