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Observation: White Pine

Observation Date
1/20/2017
Observer Name
Andy
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » White Pine
Location Name or Route
Rainbow Peak
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Swirling Winds, at times stronger than we had expected
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
5"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Some firm layers below the new snow on west aspects, softer on the north and east side of the compass
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Found some sensitive wind drifts that were cracking, isolated though to ridges at upper elevation. Loose snow was sloughing on the steepest slopes.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Some loading into pillow like shapes with some strength and cracking, still shallow though but could change with increased snowfall and wind.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Problem #2 Comments
Really low density top layer that could run down steeper slopes longer than expected
Snow Profile
Aspect
West
Elevation
9,900'
Slope Angle
20°
Comments
Dug down a couple feet at 9900 ft in upper LCC to see what if anything was going on, below the new snow ~10cm down was a firm crust with some faceted/loose grains below. It was fairly sensitive. ECTP 12 right below the crust. Above crust was very low density new snow. On east facing slope just on other side of ridge crust was not nearly as prevalent nor as sensitive. Pockets of wind loading and wind slab were more concerning on this aspect.
Cracking on top of ridge lines today
Potential weak layer below crust, buried 10 to 15 cms down. Could become active wit more snow. ECTP 12, west facing aspect at 9900 ft.
Snow in weak layer from above photo buried 10 to 15 cms right beneath thin crust (less than 5 cms) Final photo is pit dug at 9900 ft but on east facing aspect, not nearly as prominent of a crust with weak layer below. Looks like it uploaded upside down....
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates