Observation Date
1/21/2017
Observer Name
John Lemnotis
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Red Pine » Pink Pine
Location Name or Route
pink pine
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Heavy snow from the start of our tour at 7am until we left at noon. Calm wind up to 8700' we didn't go higher today.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
16"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
The low density cold smoke that we all know and love. So light that in the morning the foot plus that was on the ground didn't ride bottomless.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
The new snow is very unstable, cracking around skis when breaking trail, shooting cracks on low and moderate angle rolls (as low as 30 degrees). Loose snow avalanches on E and W aspects that we rode running long distances with lots of snow and on low angle terrain as wel. These were manageable on low angle terrain but would be tough to deal with if you tipped the scale. Some moderate rolls were breaking in soft slabs up to 6" and were a little wind loaded.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
New snow is moving a lot. Sluffs are running long distances and running on very low angle slopes. Until the storm snow stops and has a chance to settle these are a concern.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
I know the wind was present even though we didn't experience it on our tour. You can feel density changes when approaching loaded slopes and expect areas on the lee sides of ridges and below cornices to be loaded. Wind is going to stick around and now has plenty of new snow to move around.
Comments
West Scotties ran naturally as a loose snow avalanche and crossed the summer trail and normal skin track. Wasn't able to get a picture due to limited visibility.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
High
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High
