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Observation: Miller Flat

Observation Date
2/14/2014
Observer Name
Darce Trotter/ Steve Cote
Region
Skyline » Huntington Canyon » Left Fork Huntington Canyon » Miller Flat
Location Name or Route
Miller Flat/ Seely Canyon
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
low to no visibility on summit ridges in morning, winds higher that we anticipated from weather stations, still moving some snow on ridge tops, warm temps climbing during the day
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments

storms totals at 60 cm settled snow with 2" water bringing total at Miller Flat to 172 cm, good coverage now allowing access to most terrain. Snow is dense and strong and despite layering and crusts evident, holds together well. Overall pack is strengthening as would be expected after nearly a week of warm temps, but structure still dominated by upside down strong dense slab on top of facets

still some transport and loading occurring in exposed ridge lines.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
new wind loading continues, but no new natural activity noted. not everything has run and a lot of areas we expected to find activity continues to keep us on edge, just not willing to get underneath anything that remains loaded. visibility was poor upper upper reaches of Seely Canyon
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

some cornice fall seen but areas that had slid are reloading slowly with continued winds.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments

failure on snowpits continue at facets. the slabs have gained even more strength and with increased density and support both machines and skis, will be luring people into more extreme terrain. again we are in a lower probability but extremely high consequence situation. snow likely to support skier, even one snow machine, but find the sweet spot, load it up with two or three machines , and massive unsurvivable avalanches likely,

hard to broad brush everything at high hazard, considerable most accurate, but if you go looking for trouble, you will likely find it in steep windloaded NW through E terrain

Snow Profile
Aspect
East
Elevation
8,500'
Slope Angle
29°
Comments

poor visibility at top

natural activity in seely canyon, NE facing, 10000' , wall to wall and over ran bench at bottom, likely occurred last Sat/Sun

Upper Seely Canyon still loaded without evidence of activity

mild elevation snow pit

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates