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Observation: Shingle Mill Canyon

Observation Date
12/28/2017
Observer Name
Toddeo
Region
Southwest » Pahvant Range » Chalk Creek » Shingle Mill Canyon
Location Name or Route
Pahvants - Shingle Mill Canyon
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
A rather warm day, valley slightly inverted this morning. Skied all day without a jacket, including descending through shady canyon bottoms.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Faceted Loose
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

I am going to use 2 of my 3 words to describe the snow today: Not Powder.

A complete mixed bag ranging from mud to settled dense snow and pseudo/proto corn.

Of note: shady aspects are holding up well, but are starting to weaken.

Some surface hoar in shady places down to 6,000'.

Red Flags
Red Flags Comments
No real red flags today but I am starting to get concerned about the snow on north facing aspects starting to weaken. This could be problematic in the future. On the bright side outside of the Central and Southern Pahvants, there is not much snow and there will be plenty of safe places to ski if winter decides to happen. On another note, as evidenced by the slide reported at skyline last week, it does not take very much snow to initiate an avalanche: https://utahavalanchecenter.org/avalanches/34426
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Normal Caution
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

Normal caution at this point in time. Getting attacked by an elk for using their trails may be more likely than an avalanche.

Avalanche Problem #2
Trend
Same
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
7,000'
Slope Angle
18°
Comments

HS = 18", Easy to isolate pole columns to the ground. Not much else to say......

Photos below:

1. Surface hoar.

2. Elk Assisted trail breaking.

3 & 4. It's all about the aspect.

5. Wind scoured dense dry snow on the chalk Creek Road @ 7,400'. This road has some south aspects that melt out preventing sleds at this time.

If anyone wants to get in touch with me about snow/avalanche questions in SW Utah, I can be reached at [email protected]. I would be happy to walk anyone through the observation process. All observations are appreciated.

I would say low hazard in most places with the exception of upper elevation northerly aspects in the central and southern Pahvant Range.

It is important to get out in these conditions to have an idea of coverage prior to any additional coverage.

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