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 NEW - Observations Explorer All Observations Avalanches Fatalities Place Names Map Archives
Education
Avalanche Awareness Develop Skills On-Snow Courses Resources and Tutorials
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: Red Pine Gulch

Observation Date
1/29/2018
Observer Name
Grainger, Dromgoole
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Red Pine Gulch
Location Name or Route
Maybird/Red Pine
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Speed
Calm
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Rain-Rime Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

Prominent rime zipper crust on exposed snow surfaces, dense and settled soft snow in protected treed areas. Digging on an E facing slope at 9500', found 84cm of decently right side up snow, 4F facets ~20cm from the ground being the only hint of persistent weakness at this site. However, only ECTX and CT23 and CT26 Q3 PC at this layer.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Rapid Warming
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

Evidence of last cycle's persistent slabs on some N through E slopes on steep rollovers. Photo 1 from Red Pine, fracture line just below trees extending across photo.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments

SE through SW faces seeing point releases and roller balls with warm sun in the last 36 hrs. Photo #2

Snow Profile
Aspect
East
Elevation
9,500'
Slope Angle
10°
Comments

Last cycle's crown stretching several hundred feet under treeline on short steep NE slope.

Wet loose point releases on SW faces.

Textbook zipper crust from rime event.

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