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Observation: White Pine

Observation Date
1/9/2023
Observer Name
Ambler, Noteboom, Wiese
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » White Pine
Location Name or Route
White Pine
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Winds were light to moderate down low with occasional strong gusts. We could hear it whipping along the higher ridges. There was a significant amount of snow being transported in areas exposed to the wind.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
About 2 inches of snow had fallen by 1330. It was quickly being rearranged by the wind. Some exposed areas had a breakable crust but overall the riding conditions were quite enjoyable. We had the most fun in mid elevation trees.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Red Flags Comments
There have been an abundance of human triggered avalanches reported lately. There are still small faceted grains from the November dry spell but here they were 1f hard and rounding.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
The winds were swirling around the basin and I would imagine that subtle terrain features could easily hold cross loaded pockets facing any direction. Winds were stronger at higher elevations. They were still moving snow at lower elevations.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
There was a very large very dense slab resting on top of some rounding facets. I imagine it would be unlikely to trigger this layer with the weight of a skier but a skier anywhere near an avalanche on this layer would not be a skier for much longer.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
8,900'
Slope Angle
17°
Comments
Josh and I managed to conduct an exciting compression test with mostly unexciting results. Claudia enjoyed documenting. On the second to last strike of my shovel we had a failure on graupel in between two layers of dense snow. Through a regrettably poorly documented shovel shear test we also found clean shears in density changes in the upper snowpack and at the lower graupel layer. We mostly dug down to check out how the old facets were doing.
Pictured above are two serious and dedicated snow scientists testing whether or not 6 feet of snow will insulate the pwl from a cold wet smack on a shovel. Pictured below are the persistent weak grains in question.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates