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Observation: Tri Chutes

Observation Date
1/24/2024
Observer Name
W. Shirey
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » White Pine » Tri Chutes
Location Name or Route
White Pine
Weather
Sky
Broken
Weather Comments
One of those days we dream of. The forecast for overcast but wound up with low-hanging clouds and sun. Very pretty out there today. It was also quite warm. Solars took on some heat but luckily the clouds were intermittent enough to limit the damage.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Almost everything... most aspects held great snow. Roughly 10" of mixed graupel and precip particles.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
PWL is deep and feeling pretty moist and hopefully gaining structure. Mid pack Jan PWL is still dry loose facets but unreactive in my pit test.
Snow Profile
Aspect
West
Elevation
9,500'
Slope Angle
27°
Traversing across Tri Chute 1 we found some deep loose graupel pooling. At least 10" deep 4 mm or larger in size. it was only about 25' across the center of the chute and was completely unsupportable to skin on. Check out my video on ig.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates