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Observation: Wilson Glade

Observation Date
3/4/2014
Observer Name
Rusty Milholland
Region
Salt Lake » Mill Creek Canyon » Wilson Fork » Wilson Glade
Location Name or Route
Alta - Days - Mill D - Wilson - Mill Creek
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Weather Comments
Off and on snow all day with a max of S1 around noon. Traveled through lots of elevations but mostly light snow with stellers, graupel, and big wet conglomerate flakes (~2cm) falling at times. Quite warm with some breezes but minimal transport and no consistent direction noted.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
3"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Didn't hit the forecast but made travel on all aspects more enjoyable. Great turns to be found on northerly wind sheltered aspects.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Mostly well behaved snow surface with below forecasted snowfall totals. We experienced increasing sluffing of the new snow on steeper northerly aspects throughout the day. Most pronounced in sustained pitches Wilson Glade and Bonus Bowl with more graupel and damper storm snow, debris after three skiers was > 60cm deep, could certainly pack a punch. Found the outlier today of a small old windslab (see avalanche page) in steep, NE, Wilson Chute which had been covered by new snow. Broke about 25cm (10") down (maybe on graupel from the previous storm cycle), just off the ridge. Surprised the third (last) skier in the party while traversing the ridge, and could have been bad since Wilson Chute falls into a different drainage than the intended run down Wilson Glade with the rest of the party. It may be low danger but its not time to turn off the avalanche brain or forget about safe travel techniques. Sun stayed mostly hidden all day but low elevation snow (~7,000 feet) came in quite wet on a pretty wet melt-freeze crust. Very small push-a-lanches and rollerballs noted in lower Millcreek. Would expect today's dry snow to get saturated in a hurry tomorrow when the strong March sun comes out.
Expecting warming temps and extended sun tomorrow to increase wet activity into the moderate range.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate