Observation: Pink Pine

Headed out for a tour on Pink Pine today to try to get an idea of what is going on at the mid-elevation ridgelines with Little Cottonwood Canyon. The primary concern for the day is the amount of spatial variability that currently exists. We stuck our shovels in on a North aspect at 8700' and we were unable to get any results within our pit that pointed to a cohesive slab. We got an ECTN, ECTX, and multiple PSTSF (Slab Fractures) even though we could see the weak faceted snow sitting below the new snow. When we moved just a few feet over on the ridgeline, where obvious wind drifting was present, we were able to get cracking and collapsing. Similar to what Greg said in his observation from Upper Little Cottonwood Canyon, the danger primarily seems focused on slopes that have any wind-loading (leading to a more cohesive slab), at the mid and upper elevation bands facing west through north through east where the January/February facets are preserved. As we continue to get more snow, and more wind I would expect that cohesive slab to become more widespread, uniform, and sensitive. For now, though, it is being aware of what type of layer is sitting atop of the weak faceted snow.

Photo of the cracking on a North Aspect at 8600' on Pink Pine Ridge.

Between 10-12" of new snowfall in the mid ranges of Little Cottonwood Canyon. The snowfall has seemed to settle out a bit more, and increased in density throughout the storm and over the last few days. On leeward aspects, the southwest winds have deposited some thicker wind drifts on mid and upper elevation ridgelines.