Quick report
- Aspect
- East
- Red Flags
- Recent Avalanches, Wind Loading, Cracking, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Elevation
- 3018 m
We did an extended column test between west and south monitor bowl on an east facing 23 degree slope. The only result we got during the test was an ECTN13 at 33cm deep, it surprisingly only propagated halfway through the column. This occurred on that persistent week layer. When we pried the column out with our shovel after the test, it slid off in a planar fashion on this same layer 33cm deep.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>We observed multiple avalanches that occurred on this persistent weak layer on our way up willow fork. There were small ones that occurred in shaded creek gullies that we skinned past. These avalanches did not run more than 10 feet in length as these gullies were small, but they were very wide. These shaded gullies were also riddled with cracks in the snow. Wherever there weren't avalanches, there were cracks visible.</p> <p> </p> <p>As we ventured further up the fork, we noticed two larger avalanches coming off the west willow ridge into west willow bowl (east facing). Both of these avalanches appeared natural, and ran to the bottom of the slope. The slide paths of these two avalanches revealed lots of plant life, which lead us to believe they broke on the PWL.</p> <p>The snow was blowing quite a bit along the park city ridge line. The wind was moving east in the 20 mph range. Both west monitor bowl and south monitor bowl had fresh cornices and wind loaded faces. As we traversed the ridge line we did have a few small windslabs break under our feet. They were all no more than a few inches deep, no more than 8 feet wide, and did not run more than 10 feet before stopping. I would imagine with enough momentum these could step down to the PWL.</p>