Observation: White Pine Fork

Observation Date
1/22/2023
Observer Name
Magerl
Region
Skyline » Fairview Canyon » White Pine Fork
Location Name or Route
White Pine Fork
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Single digit temperature with light snowfall all afternoon. About 1 inch accumulation.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Hero snow on north-facing. No crust, no wind damage.
Very impressive snow depths. See photo of the 9-foot snow stake nearing its top. Confirmed with a probe, total depth there was 210 cm. Unlike anything I have seen in January in 20 years on the Skyline. Dug a 100 cm pit at 8,950' on a north-facing slope, where the total depth was 250 cm. Top 50 cm was pure fluff that could be forced to move as a unit, but was not at all a slab. Forced a fracture with the shovel that would crack about 70 cm down, but it was very stubborn. Based on repeated probing, seems that there might still be loose grains at the ground, but that would be 220 cm down. No, I did not dig to the ground. 250 cm is a long way down. No sloughing, cracking or collapsing when jumping on small slopes steeper than 30.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low