Ad
The National Forest Service Logo
icon-add Observation
Forecasts
Logan Ogden Salt Lake Provo Uintas Skyline Moab Abajos Weather Archives How to read the forecast
Observations & Avalanches
Submit Observation Observations Explorer All Observations Avalanches Fatalities Weather Place Names Map Archives
Education
Avalanche Class List UAC Class List Online Classes Resources and Tutorials Avalanche Awareness Develop Skills
Events
Store
About
Contact Who we are Core Values Staff Board of Directors Past Forecasters Sponsors Annual Reports Sign In
Blog
icon-add Observation
Donate / Join

Observation: White Pine

Observation Date
11/22/2015
Observer Name
Toddeo
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » White Pine
Location Name or Route
White Pine - Tri Chutes
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Calm, nice day (except for the lack of cover).
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Rain-Rime Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

Mid elevations in White Pine generally have a deeper (HS up to 20") than in BCC. Shady areas above 8500' contain a 4" thick layer of loose basal facets up to 2mm.

Upper elevation areas are windblown and scoured/drifted.

Rime crust is a bit thicker and stronger in exposed west aspects. I was able to feel it while skiing, this was not the case on east aspects in BCC.

Some protected sunny areas were damp on my exit at 1 pm.

Upper elevation west aspects contain a shallow weak snow pack (see photos below)

Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
The facets are generally more of a hazard to come......
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

There are some areas of drifts and windslabs on exposed westerly aspects. I avoided one area while breaking trail to 10,000' in the Track of the lookers left Tri Chute. These areas were isolated and non-reactive, I skied through some without incident or any signs of instability. Some consisted of consolidated graupel. My guess is that it would be possible to trigger something.

Isolated Moderate Danger

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Normal Caution
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments

Normal caution for thin snow pack. I stopped at approximately 10,000' due to the thin snowpack as opposed to avalanche hazard. I was more concerned with hitting obstacles.

Snow Profile
Aspect
West
Elevation
10,000'
Slope Angle
35°
Comments

Two photos below demonstrate the variability of the snowpack on exposed west aspects in LCC.

Photo 1: HS= 8-10" or so, rime crust is shaded above glove.

Photo 2:

20' south of photo 1 in an area that is slightly more shaded.

HS= 16 to 18"", glove is next to excavated fist density loose dry facets. Finger is pointing to rime crust. Pole columns in this area broke upon isolation in facets with little energy.

Photo 3:

North facing LCC is not ready for prime time, kinda rocky.

Photo 4:

Crown above White Pine Lake. This looks more like a rockfall/landslide. I am not sure how recent it is, I did not notice it last summer from the summit of Red Top. It also can be old, and I haven't seen it since I typically wait for deeper cover to travel in this area.

generally Low danger. Moderate hazard is worst case scenario.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate