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Observation: White Pine

Observation Date
12/13/2012
Observer Name
Fred
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
White Pine up west side down east
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Overcast with a very few snow flakes falling. Wind only found above tree line today and very light at that.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
Creamy powder in most places. A few spots blown clean down to the ice layer.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Many layers found in the snow pit. While most are not active in LCC and the skiing marginal at best what is the point it pushing the issue?
Avalanche Problem #1
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
As I found (in selected areas on Tues & today) there is a Rime layer about 8" down. This is what failed in my pit dug at 8500' n-ne facing today. Fairly clean shear on the 3rd tap from the elbow.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
In both pits I dug today there is a graupel layer about 15" down sitting on facets with many other layers about. Potential for a deep slab to pull out does exist but is low probability imho at this time in upper LCC. It is encouraging to note that the surface slide from Tues. did not step down here. Not quite the same for say the P.C. ridge line or I'd guess for upper MCC.
Comments
Pic of west side of W.P. 100cm total depth
pic of failure on rime crust, not quite the "cash register" but still clean.
Pic of the east side pit, total depth here 85cm at 8800', sans rime layer.