Observation: White Pine

Observation Date
1/10/2021
Observer Name
Jeremy Collett
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » White Pine
Location Name or Route
White Pine
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Nothing new here. Multiple ski pole tests and a W facing pit showed very loose facets at the base of the snowpack. A quick West facing pit at 9200', with HS 100 showed 40cm of facets from F to 1F hard at the ground, with a 1F slab sitting on top. I also noticed a 1cm layer of faceted snow at 65cm.
Snow Profile
Aspect
West
Elevation
9,200'
Comments
Clear skies, calm wind, and brisk temps, this morning heading up White Pine. There are lots of tracks in the area, and while most people have been sticking to low angle slopes, others have started to venture out putting tracks on some "bolder" lines. With the poor snowpack structure along with numerous reported recent avalanches and close calls, I opted to play it safe and found some great turns in low angle sheltered terrain.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable