Observation: Neffs

Observation Date
2/16/2023
Observer Name
Gagne/Frey
Region
Salt Lake » Neffs
Location Name or Route
Neffs - Mill B
Weather
Sky
Clear
Weather Comments
Calm winds.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Widespread wind damage above 6,500' but still plenty of soft snow can be found in wind-sheltered terrain.
Comments
Travel today up Neff's into Mill B North in Big Cottonwood Canyon. Strong winds from Wednesday have affected most aspects from low through the highest elevations. The wind drifts that formed over the past few days are generally 10-15 cms thick and vary from soft and breakable to pencil-hard, supportable wind slabs. We jumped on several test slopes and could only get cracking right around our skis, indicating the wind drifts were no longer reactive.
Generally Low avalanche danger on most slopes. However, I would avoid any steep, wind-loaded slope where triggering even a small wind slab could be consequential.
Photos of alpine terrain in Big Cottonwood. The second photo of Broads Fork shows a few small glide cracks, although they do not appear to be recent. With such a deep snowpack this season, glide avalanches have the potential to be quite large.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low
Coordinates