Observation: Pink Pine

Observation Date
2/6/2021
Observer Name
CBrown
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » White Pine » Pink Pine
Location Name or Route
LCC-White Pine, Pink Pine Ridge
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Light winds down in the drainage but could tell they were ripping up high. Sun out and warm temps today
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
10"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
10-12" HN between 7,700'-8,600'. Wind got into many places, even protected areas mid elevation.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Cracking
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Feel like I am beating a dead horse, but the poor structure remains. Watched wind transport on the cottonwood ridgeline (NW winds) and red baldy area. Noticed a recent slab avalanche on the E facing side of Tanners, mid run under cliff band (PPgp pooling?) Did not note any N activity during the day from warming in the LCC S facing paths. Snow pit at 8,400' N mid slope in Pink Pine ridge, HS 155cm, CTM12 SC Q1 & ECTX, PST 45/115 End down 115cm on the 20201211 FC, CTM17 RP Q2, ECTN down 30cm on PPgp layer, CTM23 RP Q2 ECTN down 40cm on new/old interface, CTN/ECTX on 20210122 FC, layer was present. 20201211 FCxr were 2-3mm moist and rounding, this is close to the low/mid elevation. Although encouraging in this specific location (saw similar pack/test results here ~2 weeks ago) I DO NOT THINK THIS IS NESSCARILARY REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GENERAL WASATCH SNOWPACK, or a sign of stability. For a majority of the season I have observed high spatial variability, which continues. High spatial variability gives me medium to high uncertainty in regards to mapping the mtn snowpack.. With uncertainty, margins must grow to accommodate the gaps in knowledge/uncertainty. I hope to look at more areas in the low end of the mid elevation band in the core to see if this is common theme.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Nothing more needs to be said after yesterday/overnight natural cycle and todays AS/AR activity.... I'll repeat, all indications in test results, range wide HS and ax activity show high spatial variability. DISCIPLINE OF A SAMURAI WARRIOR IS NEEDED.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Observed active wind loading in the upper elev during the day
Comments
Sad day in the mountains, hard to keep composure while teaching avy class after hearing the news early afternoon and worried about friends, partners and the whole community. Another perfect recipe for bad accidents and listening to the helicopters in the distance made me feel sick. An evening for deep reflection and remembering of lost friends in the mtns, and all the "free lessons" I've gotten and how fortunate I've been to have had the opportunity to learn from so many mistakes, close calls, near misses, accidents and all the times I've gotten away with "it"...
Is there such a thing as Scary Considerable? If so that's what we have. Not noting any natural activity during the day makes me hesitant to say High, but looking at CMAH, could go high or con, (D3/likely).
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates