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Observation: Red Pine Gulch

Observation Date
3/27/2018
Observer Name
Nigel Stein & Molly Gray
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Red Pine
Location Name or Route
Lake Shot Upper Red Pine
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Skies were unobstructed today with little to no clouds early in the morning. There was no new precipitation to speak of albeit snow was available for transport. Winds were 20 to 25 MPH on the upper Pink Pine Ridgeline at Lake Peak and White Baldy. Snow was funneled off the Ridgeline and cross loaded into the Western aspects in upper Red Pine. Winds were calm within Red Pine, only readily apparent on the upper elevations along the peaks and ridge lines.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
8"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Rain-Rime Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Soft dry snow on top of a supportable crust on the northern aspects. The new snow from the tail end of last weekend's system was low density and skied very well. There was a slick crust below it, however the new snow supported the weight of a skier very well.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
The only red flags that were readily visible were a few shallow dry sluffs coming off below and on top of rocky outcroppings on the sun facing aspects and wind transport of snow. As the sun warmed the snow surface it would be reasonable to expect the possibility small wet loose slides. The snow was seemingly stable in the morning hours before the sun hit it. The wet loose activity was all from yesterday (3/26) and likely occurred later in the day as the snow surface was warmed and the exposed rocks trapped solar heat. We noticed snow transport along the high elevation ridge lines, depositing in isolated areas. These could form wind slabs under ideal conditions.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
While not visible in the morning, it is likely that wet loose slides began to occur later in the day. We saw evidence of recent wet loose activity from the day before rolling off of exposed rocks and areas that trap solar heat. Later in the day as this process repeats itself it is likely that loose wet snow is likely to create problems for those traveling in terrain where the consequences of such a slide are higher.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
With moderate winds there is new, low density snow available for transport. We expected faceting occurring on and around the snow surface early in the morning. If there is enough consistent wind transporting snow, we should see small wind slabs developing in isolated areas. These would be formed on a stout crust giving these slabs a frictionless surface to slide on and could break easily.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low