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Observation: Mill Hollow

Observation Date
1/7/2021
Observer Name
Andrew Nassetta
Region
Uintas » Mill Hollow
Location Name or Route
Mill Hollow
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Beautiful day in the Southern half of the range, clouds increased after noon and the weather began to chill as temperatures dropped. Temperatures were mild and it was a pleasant day on the hill.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Snow surface was powder on many pieces of terrain, ranging from 2-6 inches in places due to wind transport after Tuesdays small system. Some areas more exposed to the wind had a denser wind-packed riding surface. Skiing and riding was good on sub-30 simple terrain with limited underbrush and rock. HS ranged from 50-100cm in places about 8,500'
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Poor structure seems to be widespread on a majority of upper-elevation NW through SE terrain in the Mill Hollow zone.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Anything with enough snow worth traveling and riding on, produces widespread cracking and collapsing. A slope adjacent to where I put in a hole produced a large collapse and shooting cracks up to a hundred feet long, the slope was SE facing at 9,600' with a HS of 100cm -- this led me to the profile found below.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Southeast
Elevation
9,600'
Slope Angle
20°
Comments
ECTN17 @77cm NSF, ECTP22 @50cm 2-4mm facets
Weak, sugary, faceted snow, the culprit of poor stability test results in the hole today. We are not seeing natural avalanches on this layer yet, but in due time and big snowstorms, I am looking forward to seeing some interesting avalanche activity.
The UAC Trailhead Transceiver Checker Sign has been picked up, and will deployed at the Nobletts trailhead in the next day or two as road crews prepare to close HW35 for the season. Thanks to those in the community that help dust off the signs, and tip-em upright if they're having a bad day!
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable