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Observation Date
11/25/2014
Observer Name
Toddeo
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » White Pine
Location Name or Route
White Pine
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Snow and wind were picking up late in the day.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
1"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

1" new today, combination of stellers, graupel and needles, slightly damp below 8000'.

I was expecting a snowpack much deeper than observed along the PC ridge and Mid BCC. In most sheltered areas, the HS is only a few inches deeper than other areas, generally 24-28". My snow profile was a bit of an anomaly and appears to have some wind deposited snow.

West aspects are more supportable that others, a bit less of a wallow breaking trail and no punching into the facets (the exception being very protected mid-elevation west aspects).

Snow surface is very slightly damp below 8000'

Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Wind loading - Heavy winds in the upper elevations were moving snow around. Some features may get cross-loaded. Limited cracking, mostly on east aspects, soft, minor, less than expected. Collapsing mostly on east aspects, some moderately large, very limited associated cracking. One large collapse on a sheltered west aspect. We were surprised at the lack of collapsing and cracking today. Depth Hoar/facets on all aspects traveled today (big surprise....)
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Problem #1 Comments

We traveled as per high danger, this included spreading out when walking across the meadows below the Tri Chutes. Backed off an east facing area after a few collapses.

Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
9,700'
Slope Angle
25°
Comments

No photos, a bit damp and blustery.....

A good day for the Goretex pants.

We were treating the lack of collapsing and cracking on west aspects as a false stable.

Ski penetration:

Most west aspects 6-8"

East aspects >1'

Although we traveled as per High Danger, we did not see enough proof to call it that. I would assume with additional wind tonight, the danger could likely be high in the alpine tomorrow.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates