Observation Date
12/29/2015
Observer Name
Weed
Region
Logan » Franklin Basin » Hells Kitchen » Steam Mill #3
Location Name or Route
Steep Hollow--Steam Mill #3
Weather
Sky
Broken
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Cold
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Supportable, smooth settled powder conditions, but slow cold snow.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Santa's slab layer is quite substantial in this area, appears to be bridging widespread preexisting facets. The greatly settled slab in this area seems so thick and solid that human triggering would be difficult. (slab is around 1 meter deep)
Exceptions would be potential deep slab avalanches triggered from where the slab is thin, or in areas with poor snow structure and less snow from the pre-Christmas storm.
Tests are inconclusive, difficult to preform, and somewhat unreliable at this depth...(ECTN, CTH 28 Q3)
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Comments
Noted evidence of significant settlement. (The Tony Grove Snotel reports 18 inches of settlement in the last 6 days, from 70 inches on Christmas Eve, dropping to 52" today)
The snow surface was glittering. I noted small-grained near surface facet development in the upper 5 cms of snowpack...
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
