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Observation: Little Pine

Observation Date
2/11/2021
Observer Name
CBrown, JHobby
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Little Pine
Location Name or Route
Little Pine
Weather
Sky
Broken
Wind Direction
East
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Mostly OVC this afternoon led to BKN and a little sun/good visibility. Winds at the TH in the canyon were west, but up higher blowing and loading from the east.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
3"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Found a variety of conditions. Bottom to top-soft/warmed old debris, then mix of a little bit of new and soft crust/soft warm mush. Higher up had 1-8" of cold snow. Where deeper windloaded.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Went to investigate LCC south couloirs. Spx felt decent down low and solid up to about 10,000. Around there somewhere it started to change. Found basal facets and mid pack crust facet combo. Found this structure E-S in the upper reaches. Quick pit on ESE found HS~120cm, ECTP 27 down ~30cm on FC below MF, and ECP29 on ~25cm of basal FC down 90cm, with HS and thick crusts mixed in. Although probably not a major concern today between the structure and propagation, somewhat concerning (I think the upcoming storm will give us the needed test on these layers). Investigating the structure a little higher via probing found similar with HS varying from 45cm-170cm. Began to find wind slab around ~9,600',1-3" deepening with elevation gain. Active loading from the East and previous soft wind slab from the west. Wind slab around 10,200 (bail point) began to get more connected/growing and cracking. Triggering small wind slab on descent to about 9,800'
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Wind slab was the main concern in this south facing chute.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Found the somewhat standard S facing type persistent structure, especially given the rocky/variable nature of the upper chute. Still somewhat concerning to get ECTP on SE upper on two layers.
Expect hazard to start at Con tomorrow and increase to high with new load and wind
Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High
Coordinates