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Observation: Steam Mill

Observation Date
3/11/2013
Observer Name
Weed
Region
Logan
Location Name or Route
Boiler Bowl
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Rain
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Very windy. Uncomfortable to hang out in exposed areas. Mist and a bit of riming going on in the afternoon.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

We found fast shallow powder conditions in sheltered north facing terrain. Crusty snow surface elsewhere up high. Snow was slow, soft, and saturated at lower elevations. My sled would drop into bottomless slush in un-compacted lower elevation meadows.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Despite very strong west winds, we didn't notice much drifting. Shallow, very hard drifts did not crack under our weight and cornice build-up was minimal where we were. We avoided obvious wind deposits on steep slopes. Found sugary faceted snow, spacial variation, and rather shallow snow cover in Boiler Bowl
Comments

We found generally stable snow conditions and minimal drifting despite very strong winds. Temperatures stayed pretty cold at upper elevations, shrouded under clouds. The snow near the ridge was certainly wind-jacked, but it was pretty nice in more sheltered and shady areas.