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Observation: White Pine

Observation Date
2/16/2017
Observer Name
Greg Gagne
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » White Pine
Location Name or Route
White Pine - Lake Peak
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
South
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Sustained moderate to strong winds in the upper elevations and open terrain at the mid elevations.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

Widespread faceted snow on northerly aspects. Any surface hoar from this past week has been destroyed from winds and warm temperatures. Fresh wind drifts are now covering faceted snow on many aspects above 9500'.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Cracking
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

In the open terrain in the alpine I was finding widespread pockets of fresh wind drifted snow. These were 5-15 cms (2-6") and 1F hard, but quite sensitive as they were sitting on top of preserved faceted snow that has formed from this past week. I was able to trigger several class 1 slides from these fresh wind drifts. With moderate to strong winds remaining in the forecast, and given that these are sitting on top of weak, faceted snow. This hazard is only expected to increase over the next 24 hours.

Comments

Intention today was to ascend Lake Peak and descend Lake Chute, but finding fresh, sensitive wind drifts quickly changed those plans and I ended up remaining in terrain where I wasn't exposed consequences if I triggered a fresh wind slab. Overall the wind drifts are not that widespread, however they are sitting on top of very weak faceted snow and thus are quite sensitive.

Dug several pits where there was wind loading and was unable to isolate an extended column (ECTPV).

This is a structure we'll have to pay attention to, especially with snow in the forecast over this coming long weekend.

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