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Observation Date
1/25/2015
Observer Name
Toddeo
Region
Salt Lake » Mill Creek Canyon » Alexander Basin
Location Name or Route
Millcreek - Gobblers/Alexanders
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
North
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Wind felt above 9,000'. Warm day able to walk in the shade with a ball cap and no jacket.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

Damp/dry line 2 about 8,000'. more of a refreeze down low in Bowman Fork. Large surface hoar limited to valley bottoms. Other surface hoar was much finer grained.

South aspects were damp up to 9000'.Souths were crusty.

Skinning was slick in places. surface hoar on top of melt/freeze and wind crusts. Damp in places during exit into Millcreek.

Of note: some very weak snow in the upper pack. 12-14" of very weak snow in shady locations, snow is weak enough to make skiing difficult at times. Trail breaking was a bit of a wallow in shady terrain. Mid-pack seems strong.

West aspects are wind hammered.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Not sure how recent some of the avalanches were but it seems a lot has happened in the area since last week. Some minor cracking in shallow wind drifts, no propagation, minor. The poor snow pack structure is now on top. Weak faceted snow in most shady locations will not support much of a load. Shallow areas that slid during the last storm cycle are very weak. As I mentioned above the snow in these areas is getting weak enough that skiing is difficult at times, add to that occasional areas of wind crust to keep you on your toes. One wet slide between Depth Hoar and Toot Suite, Look like it started as point release and entrained more snow as it descended.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

The primary danger in steep shady locations. Some soft slabs are also possible, as evidenced by the crowns highlighted in red in the attached photos.

Generally low danger with perhaps pockets of moderate.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Cornice
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments

It appears that many cornices have fallen, this looks to be the cause of the slides in the east couloir area as highlighted in red below.

Low danger increasing if the temps continue to climb.

1st photo showing crowns in the upper portion of the east couloir.

2nd photo shows crown from January 14, somewhat blown in with more recent activity from cornices falls.

3rd photo is wider view of recent activity.

Two photos showing what appears to be a skier triggered soft slab in one of the entrances into Depth Hoar Bowl. This slide ran to the base of the bowl. Note slope angle in 1st photo, steep terrain.

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