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Observation: Mill Hollow

Observation Date
12/30/2022
Observer Name
Staples
Region
Uintas » Mill Hollow
Location Name or Route
Soapstone Mtn and Mill Hollow
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
13"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Generally about a foot of powder on top of a soft but supportable base. 5 star conditions. Coverage is unbelievable.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Collapsing was not as obvious today, but we had one very big collapse when we felt the sleds drop. Interestingly, it took several passes with two sleds parked and another sled riding by before this collapse happened. This mirrors a report from the previous day. To me it suggest that conditions aren't hair-trigger. It may take a person or two to ride on a slope before it will avalanche.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
What was interesting was finding the PWL well preserved on several south facing slopes. Below is a profile from one of them when extended column tests failed and propagated as soon as the column was isolated without tapping on it (a very bad sign). Collapsing throughout the day confirmed the instability of this layer. It is very easy to find and obvious in a snowpit.
Comments
Below is a south facing snow profile and a NE facing one near the mill hollow slide path that hits the groomed road.
Below is a photo from a south facing slope. Generally about 2-3 feet of snow which is incredible coverage. With the storm this New Year's weekend, it will put enough snow on these slopes to cause avalanches.
There are signs that the snowpack will get better (sooner than in other years) and we found on north facing slope with some wind loading where the November facets were gaining hardness and not breaking in stability tests. Profile below.
First photo below showing the Mill Hollow Slide path. It has a buried PWL. It has a good slab of snow on top of it. And it will be stressed by snowfall this weekend. It will be primed to slide.
Second photo shows parked sleds and the 5 star conditions
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High
Coordinates