Ad
The National Forest Service Logo
icon-add Observation
Forecasts
Logan Ogden Salt Lake Provo Uintas Skyline Moab Abajos Weather Archives How to read the forecast
Observations & Avalanches
Submit Observation Observations Explorer All Observations Avalanches Fatalities Weather Place Names Map Archives
Education
Avalanche Class List UAC Class List Online Classes Resources and Tutorials Avalanche Awareness Develop Skills
Events
Store
About
Contact Who we are Core Values Staff Board of Directors Past Forecasters Sponsors Annual Reports Sign In
Blog
icon-add Observation
Donate / Join

Observation: Pink Pine

Observation Date
1/26/2016
Observer Name
cammackenzie
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Red Pine » Pink Pine
Location Name or Route
pink pine ridge
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Northeast
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
- Rapid warming througout the morning - Terrain forced winds with active and irregular wind loading patterns on west facing slopes along pink pine ridge
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments

Loose new snow in the top 20-30cm.

Reactive to ski cuts. ~1 meter cracking on convexities but no major propagation

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Red flags aspect/ elevation dependant. Poor snowpack structure seems to be widespread throughout both. Rapid warming most prevelant on S-SW aspects. Wind loading dependant on terrain winds and elevation
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

Although this problem may be hard to trigger, it has the highest potential consequences right now.

Throughout travels today, I consistently found buried facets with .5-1 meter of slab atop it

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments

By 1130, wet loose activity was common in the south facing terrain above little cottonwood canyon. Particularly cliff base and around rocks. No individual event large enough to warrant its own avalanche submission. Suspect as the afternoon continues, larger wet loose activity to occur.

Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
9,200'
Slope Angle
37°
Comments

Although ECT result showed low energy and no propagation, I'm not convinced the potential isn't there for a slab avalanche.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates