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Observation: Pink Pine

Observation Date
1/3/2021
Observer Name
CBrown
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Red Pine » Pink Pine
Location Name or Route
White Pine, Pink Pine Ridge
Weather
Weather Comments
Light precip, ovc skies and warm temps in the morning. Increasing winds from L to M. S-1, S1, and short periods of S2. Short periods of PPgp in PM. Active windloading all along the ridge, especially at the 9,400' shoulder. Short period of riming around 13:00
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
Added a little bit of medium to high density snow and PPgp that will help surface conditions a bit.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Multiple pits at 8,900 NE and 9,100 E. 8,900 NE HS ~100cm with CTM SP results on 20201222 FC down ~20cm, and CTM SC down ~50cm on 20201211 FC, ECTN in the moderate range both layers. 9,100 E HS 83cm, 20201211 FCsf and below is becoming more homogenous in this area, FC and old MF layers are becoming one faceted layer, bits of MF crust can still be found but is very decomposed. 5x CTM SC, 2x ECTN failures with varying depths in the remnants of these layers between 30-50cm off ground. 4x CTE/M SP, 2x ECTN failures on 20201222 FC down ~20cm. PSTArr 45/100 & PSTSF 50/100 on 20201211 FC layer. SS ski results on the 20201222 layer upon exit @ 15:00 w/ days wind and precip (layer to watch going forward, I've seen it up to ~9,700 NW-E). Loose dry in unconsolidated snow on 34* slopes. Cracking and Collapsing throughout day w/ wind slab and 20201222 layer.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Old 20201211 (NFL) may come back to life as well as the ~20cm+ FC layer buried 20201222.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Wind slabs were actively building, and cracking, easy shears in hand shears. Also observed DL problem on ~34* slopes (FCsf mixed in on old surface)
Comments
Hazard rising to considerable during day, even mid elevations w/ wind. . The decomposing slab and bed surface of this layer seems to have led to less activity and smaller pockets being triggered Wind and new snow may reestablish/reconnect the slab that has decomposed. New snow and wind may reestablish/reconnect the slab to reactivate 20201211 FC (NFL) layer. The 20201222 FC layer I have been watching since Christmas Eve is not healing as soon as I thought/hoped, it seems to finally be coming to life after establishing a slab over it, namely in the wind zone and with new/coming precip.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates