Observation Date
1/2/2017
Observer Name
Weed
Region
Logan » Franklin Basin » Steam Mill Canyon » Boiler Bowl
Location Name or Route
Boiler Bowl
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Considerable drifting... Snowfall and winds tapering off in the afternoon. Cold with poor visibility of surounding high country for most of the day.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
7"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Fine powder riding and skiing.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Red Flags Comments
light new snow not holding together as a slab
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Noted significant drifting and some cracking in drifted snow, but could not get any drifts to propagate as wind slabs.
Cornices were rapidly building and sensitive. I almost fell off one on a short test slope when it unexpectedly broke further back than I expected.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
The new snow wasn't sticking together enough to form a slab in the Steam Mill Area. The new snow probably preserved a weak layer consisting of surface hoar and/or near surface facets in many areas, but this was not active on the slopes we looked at.
This will turn into a persistent slab problem as more snow accumulates and the slab consolidates on top of the weak snow.
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
9,000'
Slope Angle
23°
Comments
We found mostly stable snow, since the light new snow was not sticking together to form a slab. Wind slabs just becoming cohesive in drifted areas near the ridge top. Cornices were quite sensitive
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates
