Observation: Pink Pine

Observation Date
12/25/2019
Observer Name
Champion
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Red Pine » Pink Pine
Location Name or Route
White Pine - Pink Pine
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Light precipitation throughout the tour. Began as precip particles, by 4 pm was consistent graupel. Winds were light to calm from the southwest, no visible transport.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
6"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Surprised at the amount accumulating new snow. Low-density recent precipitation sitting on a variety of surface characteristics.
In the trees, and protected terrain features, the snow sat on dense loose snow. In areas that had wind, solar, or previous ski tracks the new snow sat on a crust layer or firm surface.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
8,600'
Slope Angle
26°
Comments
Great surface riding conditions on mid-elevations. Where we were, we didn't see too much sluffing, but in a few steep pockets, the new low-density snow was running fast and far.
Where we stuck our shovels in we were able to find a poor snow structure, with weak old facets at the ground with a general right side up the slab on top of it. While we were unable to get any results in the October/November facets I still don't trust it. While digging a pit, what I did find concerning was a few new/old snow interfaces. Between each storm system, it has been a mixture of precipitation particles and graupel. The graupel fell on a variation of snow surfaces, from loose dense snow to bulletproof windboard. When we did an extended column test, the only results we were able to get were within the old snow interface and a new graupel layer.
As we continue to add water to these varying snow surfaces I would be initially concerned about new snow avalanches, and then this lurking poor snow structure.
Photos of snowpit profile and new snow accumulation on a small tree.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None