Observation: White Pine

Observation Date
2/23/2019
Observer Name
Wilkes
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » White Pine
Location Name or Route
Upper White Pine
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Observed concerning wind loading on white pine ridge lines (Red and White Baldy) from NW winds onto lee S slopes from 7-9 AM.
Comments
Plenty of snow still available for transport today. Early start in white pine with south facing objective in mind. Bitter cold at 10k feet in the winds. Believe south facing moonraker had naturaled/stuffed (small) from morning winds. Decided against it and turned around from West Pass after watching south’s get loaded all morning. Great skiing in sheltered areas.
Wind effect evident in open areas of lower drainage too i.e. Tri Chutes cross loaded up top.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate