Observation Date
11/25/2015
Observer Name
Joey Campanelli
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » White Pine » Red Baldy
Location Name or Route
Lower Red baldy
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Storms a comin'
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
After howling winds yesterday and last night; I figured I go in search of some wind slabs. I Knew White Pine acts very much like high alpine and the wind would show it's effects the most. I hit the jackpot in a smaller sub ridge/rollover. About 1,000 feet down from the ridge. This slop had been loaded before and loaded again. Overall the snow was about 24"-36" deep. I found a new wind slab on top of old soft snow and another old wind slab on top of old snow near the ground.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
I think these wind slabs will be pockety and scattered about on slopes NE->NW. They will probably be hundreds of feet down from the ridge (the wind was howling yesterday and last night ~30gusting60mph). They will be hidden by the new snow. The scary part to me is that you might trigger a small pocket with enough weight fo drop down to old wind slab or the ground facets.
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
9,800'
Slope Angle
29°
I personally will avoid any NE->NW slope above 30degs that I think could have any wind loading. I don't forsee the new snow being enough weight, but add a skier and voila. I think these slopes will be pockety considerable.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
