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Observation: Mill A

Observation Date
2/24/2018
Observer Name
Hardesty, Wilson, Patterson
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Mill A
Location Name or Route
Mill A to Raymond and Gobblers
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Light snowfall began at 3pm; only a trace to a cm by exit at 6pm. Little to no wind noted. Cold. Wore two down jackets even while skinning back up to CircleAwl ridge for the exit back to Butler. Went through not one but two packs of hand warmers.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
6"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

Really excellent skiing conditions; very localized wind damage.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Noted two new avalanches today: Size .5 natural in Main Porter and Size 1.5 skier/snowboarder remote on Raymond shoulder. Both found in the observations. No cracking/collapsing noted. The Raymond shoulder slide turned out to be a very interesting avalanche and possibly near miss.
Comments

Interested in east and southeast facing structure (well away from the upper Cottonwoods) as well as west northwest - all easily found along Raymond and Gobbler's terrain. 9400' SE on Raymond shoulder provided ECTX x3. Some weakness noted a few cm below last Sunday's dust layer. Investigated SE on the Emmas in LCC yesterday. No collapsing or cracking noted. Skied 35° south facing line off Raymond Shoulder into Mill A and headed toward Main Gobbler's shoulder into Porter. Quick profile noted in photo below. Noted human triggered avalanche off Raymond shoulder and returned to investigate. Avalanche observation found here.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None