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Observation: Steam Mill

Observation Date
12/9/2022
Observer Name
Matt Barry
Region
Logan » Franklin Basin » Steam Mill
Location Name or Route
Steam Mill
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
8,700'
Comments
Stormy tour up Steam Mill today. We observed 4 of the 5 red flags : recent avalanches, heavy snowfall, collapsing, and wind drifted snow. Most of the day we had strong winds coming from the south and snow was falling hard. We experienced a lot of "whumpfs" and could feel them move under our feet, but didn't see any cracking on the surface. There was evidence of wind drifted snow (other than the wind that we experienced) in the form of cornices on Northern facing slopes. We triggered these to slide from roughly 12 feet away. A good day to play in low angle powder.
On the tour, we intentionally triggered a few cornice drops that caused a slide.
Not very large. Maybe 5 inches deep, 12 feet across. I think it was just the wind drifted snow that slid.
I'll attach a couple of photos of two different ones.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate