Observation: Mill D South

Observation Date
12/24/2020
Observer Name
CBrown
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Mill D South
Location Name or Route
BCC, Mill D South
Weather
Sky
Clear
Weather Comments
Late start made for warm skinning in the sun around noon. In the shade it was cold, teens I would estimate. No wind observed, no blowing snow.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
4"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Nice powder skiing out there. Low angle SE didn't take heat.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Some very big "rolling thunder" collapses today. I think the slab is more connected now than in previous days with some settlement and the nature of the collapses observed today. Poor structure exists. 9,650' E below High Ivory HS 78cm, F-1F slab above the 20201211 FCsf, ECTP18 down 42cm on 2cm of F FCsf. Another weak layer was noted down about 25cm on FC above a slight MF crust from earlier this week, buried 20201222. Not much of a slab yet in the top 25cm, but another PWL to keep an eye on.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
The 20201211 (NFL?) FCsf is becoming more stubborn but still showing full propagation. The slab above the 20201211 FCsf layer seems much more connected now than it did less than a week ago. Settlement, warm temps and time as stiffened the slab causing the likelihood to go down, but the consequence has increased with more connectivity of the slab observed through the rolling loud collapses experienced..
Comments
Did not find any new windslab, most likely due to travel in protected areas.
Busy in Mill D south today, snowcats, multiple snowmobiles and many well behaved skiers sticking to the great low angle powder skiing. I did witness some bold ski tracks and skin tracks testing the PWL. I am afraid some users do not understand the concept of overhead hazard, or connected weak layers, wicked learning environments, or even spaced travel techniques while in or under avalanche terrain.
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Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates