Observation: White Pine

Observation Date
2/12/2021
Observer Name
Menk
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » White Pine
Location Name or Route
White Pine
Red Flags
Red Flags
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
New snow was poorly bonded. The problem because worse as elevation increased.
Avalanche Problem #2
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
PWL is still lurking down low, not convinced this layer has gained any strength.
Comments
Toured up White Pine this afternoon to search for some low angle turns in the trees. Snowed about an inch between 1:00-2:30. Winds were gusting during that time then died down until about 4:00. Clouds rolled in and vis went way down after 4:00.
I measured about 6” of new snow at 8,200 feet and dig a quick hand pit and tested out a small slope. Test pit indicated poor bonding but no real cracking or sliding on the test slope. New snow at 9,800 was about 9-10” and I observed a shooting crack on a similar test slope. With the limited vis and all the signs of instability I took one run back down to the car and called it a day.
Hopefully the bonding improves otherwise this layer is layer will be active with more snow on the way.
I used a test slope at 8,200 feet with no much
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High