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Observation: Pink Pine

Observation Date
2/8/2016
Observer Name
Jake Hutchinson
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Red Pine » Pink Pine
Location Name or Route
Pink Pine and White Pine near the Spire
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Unbelievably warm today, we measured +4C at 9000' at 12:00 today
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Faceted Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments

Surface was a mix of NSF and SH, but it is getting moist quickly from the heat.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
I was pleasantly surprised to see how much strength the snowpack has gained since I left town a few weeks ago. Most of our tests in a variety of pits gave us no notable results. Don found a notable result in one pit specifically targeting weak/thin parts of the snowpack.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

Solar aspects that haven't already sluffed over the weekend seem the primary offender. I'm not sure things have heated up enough yet for areas that did slide to slide again yet.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments

Saw evidence of wind slab avalanches, up to D2 in size in both the Tri-Chutes and the Birthday chutes, i think these are at least 24-36 hours old, and possibly older. No evidence of blowing snow today, but saw plenty yesterday.

Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
9,100'
Slope Angle
37°
Video
https://vimeo.com/154652280

Please note on video, this was intentional targeting of weak and thin snow, to illustrate how the snow pack will react if overloaded in a thin area.

The surface hoar/NSF factory was still cranking in sheltered areas

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