January 19

Solitude-Monitors-Wills-Silver Fork lodge

Elevations, slope angles and aspects

7800-10200, angles over 35°, south, north and west facing aspects

Snow conditions

Storm total of around 10" settled to 8" or so by late afternoon. Light on top with a coupla density changes in the new.

South facing crusts were supportable, west, not so much.

Daytime heating warmed sun exposed enough to produce small rollers.

Sluffing in the new snow on steeper angles.

Avalanche activity

One small slide on a northwest facing steep slope was observed.

pocket-slide

Looks like a remote trigger from an ascent along the ridge separating Willow and USA bowl. Crossloading on weak old snow.

Of interest, stress fracturing, surrounding the slide.

Always a trouble spot and best avoided.

Natural activity within new snow layering was also observed in the Meadow chutes.

meadow-chutes

Pockets in the lower portion of the photo. Steeper breakovers facing northeast, possible collapse failure on weak old snow.

No activity was observed in the Monitors and they were lacking the usual cornice line.

Weather

Crack of noon tour with partly cloudy skies and mild temperatures. Light wind from the west.

Could see plumes to the south off the higher peaks in Big nd Little Cottonwood canyons.

Evaluation

Natural activity appeared limited to new snow.

The remote trigger suggests loading was enough to produce instability in the weakest older snow but, not enough for widespread natural activity.

Weather guessers have more snow and wind on the way.

Proceed with caution as amounts increase.

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January 19 journal

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