Observer Name
Eric Hopkins
Observation Date
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Avalanche Date
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Cardiff Fork » Cardiac Ridge
Location Name or Route
Cardiac area
Elevation
9,300'
Aspect
Northeast
Trigger
Natural
Avalanche Type
Wet Loose
Avalanche Problem
Wet Snow
Weak Layer
New Snow
Depth
8"
Width
50'
Comments
Did it snow 8+ inches? It depends on how you define "snow." It was sherbet under the skies at the Our Lady of the Snow church, and damp powder up high. Sun actually came out creating good visibility and the turns were good before noon. Wind drifts created 10" pockets but were stable.
Intense greenhousing this afternoon, combined with intense whiteout conditions, created very dangerous conditions! Rocks and avalanches were running all around the cardiac drainage, echoing through the canyon. Wet slide debris was debris and the slides started running quite fast and long.
Picked up a pair of fat skies and poles on the Superior ridgeline. Too bad I didn't have a screwdriver because they would have been perfect! Had to ski down like a samurai. 239-850-7731 to get the skis back, but I'll check FB too.
Coordinates