Observation Date
12/5/2015
Observer Name
Ted Scroggin
Region
Uintas
Location Name or Route
Mill Creek
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
South
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
A few clouds this morning and a beautiful mild afternoon with very light winds.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
1"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
One inch of new snow overnight resting on a variety of snow surfaces. I was finding very unconsolidated snow top to bottom in the lower elevations of Mill Creek and very stout hard wind slabs along the exposed ridges.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
The snow conditions on this east side of the area are quite weak and shallow. The snowpack here is almost fist density snow from top to bottom. Also, there has been no shortage of recent winds over here. Some of these hard wind pillows and slabs can support a snowmobile for a few feet, before breaking through into weak sugary snow.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Along the wind exposed ridges there were some very hard hollow sounding wind slabs that are resting on nothing but weak unconsolidated snow. I experienced a couple of good low rumbling collapses as I was moving along the ridge. These slabs are not super well connected, but there is surely some pockets that a person could stumble into. With still early season conditions very few riders have been testing these slopes.
Comments
Shallow and early season conditions in the Mill Creek Drainage. Not too many riders willing to get off the road.
The textured and scalloped look of this slope is a good indication that it has been recently wind loaded. I experienced two good low rumbling collapses on this slope as I walked up along the low angle ridge top. Digging down underneath the wind slab there is weak unconsolidated sugary snow.
Just a nice view looking south towards the crest of the High Uintas and how much wind this high terrain receives.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low
