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Observation: Mill D North

Observation Date
12/30/2014
Observer Name
FredStaff
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Mill D North
Location Name or Route
Mill D North Fork
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Northeast
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Cold was the word today. It was cold. Negative numbers the whole day. Wind really made the difference. Wind blew at almost all aspects. Of note was the strong wind in the bottom of the Mill D drainage at say the bottom of the Weather Station run. Totally drifted and wind packed there. As were most aspects today. Only areas well off any sort of ridge were really protected. And it was cold.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
16"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

Still very light snow with now a bit of a wind effected surface on it. Still skis like powder.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Reported collapsing on the ridge to the summit of Reynolds. One can still find the rain crust in various foms at various elevations. For instance the crust is very thick and stout at say the bottom of Big Water Gulch. But thin and fragil up on the Soldier Fork Nipple. Of note is the thin snow pack in Upper MCC. Only 4 feet on BWG.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #1 Comments

Obvious from all the wind today.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Problem #2 Comments

As was seen yesterday.

Comments

To cold for any real pit today. Did dig to ground at the bottom of BWG. Could isolate columnl,

With high spatial variability comes complexity. I have trust issues with a few aspects of the snow pack at the moment.

I think my plan for the next few cold days will be "in the sun is fun".

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate