Observation Date
12/8/2023
Observer Name
Toby Weed
Region
Logan » Franklin Basin » Steam Mill Peak Area
Location Name or Route
Steam Mill Peak, NE Shoulder
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
It got colder as it got later in the afternoon
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
18"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Very nice, deep powder conditions. Face shots on sled in Franklin Basin and on skis in Hells Kitchen, but you needed some pitch for turning
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
The 4th person up the skin track and I triggered one pretty large whumpf in flat terrain near the mouth of Hells Kitchen.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Pit tests showed a weak layer at the interface between yesterday's and today's snow.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
This wasn’t an issue for us today. Mostly calm on the northeast side of Steam Mill, but drifting was going on in more exposed terrain.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
8,800'
Slope Angle
16°
The danger is probably CONSIDERABLE in drifted terrain. I found good stability in the deeper layers and it felt like MODERATE in the Hells Kitchen terrain, but we did not venture onto anything steeper the 30 degrees.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates
