Snowpack

Observation: White Pine

MenkSalt Lake
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Quick report

Red Flags
Cracking, Poor Snowpack Structure

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

Snowpack

Instability Comment
<p>New snow was poorly bonded. The problem because worse as elevation increased.</p> <p>PWL is still lurking down low, not convinced this layer has gained any strength. </p>