Observation: Mill B South 2/2/2012

Observer Name:

Hardesty

Region:

Mill B South
Big Cottonwood Canyon
Salt Lake

Observation Date:

02/02/2012

Weather

Sky:

Broken

Precipitation:

Light Snowfall

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth:

New Snow Density:

Low

Snow Surface Conditions:

Powder

Red Flags

Collapsing

Primary Concern

Primary Concern:

Deep Slabs

Probability:

Moderate

Aspect:

North

Northeast

East

Southeast

West

Northwest

Elevation:

High

Mid

Trend:

Same

Primary Concern Comments:

High Strength

High Energy these dictate continued extreme caution, careful routefinding, and perhaps avoidance altogether

Poor Structure

See article - good stuff

snow_profile_location:

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 1)

One minor collapse at 8200'. Went looking for the extend of avalanching in Mill B South. Poor visibility and time commitments precluded much window shopping. Poked into two areas to compare - one on a north facing slope that did not slide during the cycle(s), the other, a northeast facing slope that did (though fairly early on in likely Wednesday night into Thursday Jan 18-19). Time frame of avalanche determined by how much of a 'new' slab was sitting on the facets/depth hoar.

Comparing the two slopes: 'Pristine' Slope Avalanched Slope

Elevation 8300' 8400'

Aspect North North-northeast

Slab Thickness 120cm 55cm

Thickness of Depth Hoar 40cm 10cm

ECT Results E-ECT P 27Q1 ECT P 22 Q1

1st photo - Undisturbed snowpack 2nd photo where it had avalanched

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 2)