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Observation: Steam Mill Peak

Observation Date
12/15/2024
Observer Name
Pagnucco, Weeds
Region
Logan » Franklin Basin » Hells Kitchen » Steam Mill Peak
Location Name or Route
Hells Kitchen Canyon to Steam Mill Peak
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
cold due to wind chill near the ridge
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
11"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Somewhat droppy and tricky since you sink into old sugary snow beneath the fresh powder even with wide skis.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
We experienced several whumpfs and shooting cracks. We observed a couple of recent avalanches, one of which may have been remotely triggered.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
There is a problem wherever a slab of stiffer, wind-drifted snow has formed on widespread very weak faceted snow.
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
8,000'
Slope Angle
21°
Comments
We triggered audible collapses and shooting cracks, mainly in drifted mid-elevation terrain in Hells Kitchen Canyon. Due to a few obvious signs of instability (red flags), we stayed clear of drifted slopes steeper than 30 degrees...
We could see significant drifting looking to our south at Chicken Hill and Cornice Ridge.
We saw a couple of recent small avalanches in Hells Kitchen, one of which looks to have been remotely triggered by a skier from a distance away.
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates