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Observation: Upper Mill Creek

Observation Date
12/27/2016
Observer Name
Fred
Region
Salt Lake » Mill Creek Canyon » Upper Mill Creek
Location Name or Route
Upper Millcreek canyon
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
No wind until about 8k. Then the higher you went the stronger the wind became. Snow was somewhat wind effected off the ridges but still in good shape.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

The Christmas miracle continues! First a big THANK YOU to the two women who returned my camera. Pack was pulled open on the bowman fork bush walk.

Every slope that was in my objective for the day had avalanched during the storm. The resulting slough surfaces were spongy and and about a foot of soft snow on them.

Snow on the ridges is wind effected. The entry into the Wilson glade has a bunch of cornice debris on it but no avalanche. So wind slab is forming but the slab is sitting on a foot of soft snow that seems stable to me.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
So actually a good thing to see the slides from the storm cycle. Wind loading will produce managable wind slabs that are kinda like a toothless dog unless your near a nasty terrain feature (imo).
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

Forming like nobodys business on high ridges today. Manageable with ski cut.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments

Wild card deep slab. Even deeper now. Unmanageable imo. Hope that you've been a good person and it's not your time to go.

Comments

Thank you again ladies for returning my camera.

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