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Observation: Pink Pine

Observation Date
1/24/2025
Observer Name
Zimmerman-Wall
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Red Pine » Pink Pine
Location Name or Route
Pink Pine
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Increasing cloud and wind throughout morning. Temps remained near freezing for tour 930-1230pm below 9000'.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Mixed bag of snow conditions that the new snow will land on. Facets on surface are not very angular and have been subject to warmer temps in the last 48 hours. The surface conditions were not that predictable in this area and sometimes a melt freeze crust could be felt when skiing through trees that had trapped heat.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
Wind was moving what snow was left along the highest ridges.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
The persistent weak layer formed and buried in November is still clearly visible in snow profiles. There is a Surface Hoar/Near Surface facet layer 15-20cm in this terrain where it was able to be preserved and buried, however it did not propogate in tests. The slab above was soft in this zone below the wind.
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
8,200'
Slope Angle
20°
Comments
A few photos of the upper White Pine and Red Pine/Maybird ridges showing where wind has done its work.
The wind slab on mid elevation ridge was corrugated and fractured from skiining across. These hard drifts are scattered throughout the landscape.
The profile site with notable gray stripe in upper snowpack and then the PWL visible in bottom 30 cm.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates