Observation: White Pine Gulch

Observation Date

1/13/2018

Observer Name

J.Spitzer

Location Name or Route

Pink Pine, White Pine Canyon, Spire

Weather

Sky

Few

Wind Direction

Northwest

Wind Speed

Light

Weather Comments

Nice day in the Wasatch with just few clouds linging around the high peaks during the day.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth

New Snow Density

Medium

Snow Surface Conditions

Powder

Faceted Loose

Wind Crust

Snow Characteristics Comments

Snow surface varied greatly depending on aspect and elevation. NE shot on Pink Pine had surface hoard in the am above 8,800 in the open terrain. Upper White Pine Canyon was a combination of wind crust and medium dense powder.

Red Flags

Recent Avalanches

Cracking

Collapsing

Poor Snowpack Structure

Red Flags Comments

Saw several D1 to D2 avalanches that ran during the storm. See topo map of avalanches in upper white pine canyon. Many of them where on small but ran far with deep crowns to the ground. Large D3/R4 avalanche that came off the Dog Dish zone. Crown looked to be starting just below the ridgeline and rapped around to Rainbow Mtn. See photo. Saw fresh skier triggered (unknown skier) avalanche off upper pink pine ridge (NE) in steep (>35) gladed terrain. Snowpack obs from near spire NE aspect 120cm depth. ECT no result but PST 30/120 (x2) failure layer was basal facets

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Persistent Weak Layer

Trend

Same

Avalanche Problem #2

Problem

Wind Drifted Snow

Trend

Decreasing Danger