Sign Up for the Utah Snow and Avalanche Workshop (USAW) on December 7th!

Observation: White Pine

Observation Date
12/9/2022
Observer Name
NB
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » White Pine
Location Name or Route
White Pine
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Wind was moving snow around quite a bit at ridge line and slabbing surface snow on west facing slopes. Some cracking in the surface snow. NE aspects were being loaded and some natural cornice fall was triggering small naturals on steep northeast aspects.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
Skinning was challenging on west and sw facing slopes, more so than anticipated. Below recent snow, old snow is quite weak and faceted. New snow is supporting a skier while skinning most the time but if you step off your skis you will plunge to the bottom. Some pole strikes also went through the bridging. With enough new snow, this PWL may become overwhelmed.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates