Observation: White Pine

Snowpit in similar location to one from November 23, 2024. This time around there were bigger facets (3mm) near the ground and the layer of facets was only 6" (15cm) compared to 8" (35cm). Failure this time was on mixed grains above a breaking down crust. This slope may not be representative of much of the backcountry as the snowpack here is deeper and more wind loaded. The temperatures in the snow profile show us that faceting is occurring. The talus on the ground may have impacted temperatures in the lower snowpack. Below hand pit shows structure on a north facing slope at 8,000'. There were damp facets near the ground in this location. With skis on I was sinking down to the breaking down crust that was above the layer of damp facets whenever I stepped off the skin track.

1" (30mm) surface hoar crystals in a north facing sheltered meadow (8,800') in the White Pine Drainage of Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah.

Snow coverage of the Tri Chutes area.

Snow surface was faceted loose on northerly facing aspects and damp on any south or west facing slope that held snow. Most of the south and west facing surfaces were dirt at low and mid elevations.  Surface hoar was plentiful and growing on any shaded surface.  The snowpack structure is poor and for the time being the major hazard is hitting something just under the surface.  We did not notice any wind loading as winds were calm.  If we start to wind transport and any new weight is loaded on this fragile snowpack we will start to see avalanches in places holding old snow.  Now is a great time to see what slopes, aspects, and elevations are and are not holding snow.