Observation: Mill B South

Observation Date
2/8/2013
Observer Name
Brian Muller
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
Mill B South to Heart of Darkness
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Direction
East
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Heavy loading from Mineral fork into Upper Mill B. In isolated wind loaded terrain I had 6-10 inch soft slabs coming out in pooled/spindrifted areas just below the cliffs near Heart of Darkness.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

Saw a bit of everything on the way in, and on the way out everything was under a nice coat of 4 inches or so down to Lake Blanche.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Problem #1 Comments

Snow was coming in heavy and with a good deal of wind. New snow was sensitive and easy to release in steep terrain

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #2 Comments

There were a lot of winds swirling around near the Sundial today, and wind slabs in the mid to upper elevations will be a primary concern as well tomorrow.

Comments

Ran into a girl on my ski out who was trying to call friends and about to make a shelter because she had run up to lake blanche not expecting heavy/blowing snow conditions. Gave her an extra jacket, and got her moving. I guess the lesson learned is to stop for the people who may not know what the weather expected for the day was, and make sure they're alright on a trail packed enough one can walk it in just sneakers.