Avalanche: White Pine

Observer Name
Craig Gordon
Observation Date
Monday, February 13, 2017
Avalanche Date
Saturday, February 11, 2017
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » White Pine
Location Name or Route
Upper White Pine
Elevation
10,300'
Aspect
Northeast
Slope Angle
38°
Trigger
Natural
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Avalanche Problem
New Snow
Weak Layer
Graupel
Depth
2.5'
Width
700'
Vertical
300'
Comments

Quite active storm snow, with surprisingly connected slab avalanches on steep, wind loaded slopes near the AF Twins, and in upper White Pine/Red Pine. Common theme appears to be grauple layer pooling under cliff bands and lower angle transitions.

Cross-loaded terrain features in the wind zone, offered predictable stiff slabs, reactive to the additional weight of a person.

Steep slopes not effected by the wind sluff easily, and while manageable and slow moving, entrain more snow than you might expect.

Coordinates