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Observation: White Pine

Observation Date
2/17/2022
Observer Name
Staples / Meisenheimer
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » White Pine
Location Name or Route
White Pine - Birthday Chutes - Dog Dish - Rainbow Ridge
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
North
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
What a day to be out in the mountains. Clear and cold with calm winds.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
8"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Unfortunately, we didn't get the classic warm before the storm set up—basically bottom feeding on many slopes. The riding was good on the northerly facing terrain except for the old tracks from the past 40 days. Don't get me wrong, I was happy as a clam today, but the riding isn't epic.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Problem #1 Comments
On the drive into the canyon, we noticed large plumes coming off the upper elevation ridgelines. However, we could not find any wind slabs in the terrain we traveled in today. I am sure there are some out there. But we only observed loose-dry as a problem in our travels today.
Comments
Overall this storm did overproduce in terms of the height of snow. However, the new snow contains very little water to it. This new snow will be the start to our new slab, and over the next few weeks, we need to keep an eye on the weaker snow beneath.
Video
Video and photo below show plumes of snow being blown by winds from the north.
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low
Coordinates