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Observation: Mill Hollow

Observation Date
12/15/2023
Observer Name
Katz/Ambler/Servais
Region
Uintas » Mill Hollow
Location Name or Route
Mill Hollow
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Today was dead calm, sunny, and warm in Mill Hollow.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
E and N facing slopes did not exhibit a melt freeze crust, though more southerly facing slopes did. The E winds seemed to affect only ridgelines (pictured with raised circular tracks). Forming surface hoar was present almost everywhere (pictured with ski pole handle for reference).
Red Flags
Red Flags
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Three separate collapses were felt and heard around 10,000ft on due E, one of which featured a crack upslope, in wind-pressed snow (pictured). Though there is vegetation in this photo, there were not buried rocks or significant vegetation below the collapsed area. These collapses were in relatively thin areas of snowpack, and did not sound like they propagated far.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
9,900'
Slope Angle
26°
Comments
Today in Mill Hollow was relatively quiet in terms of wind, signs of instability, and traffic. East winds haven't done much damage to skiing and riding conditions, and, on polar aspects, the same can be said for the sun. Four separate ECTs on ENE around 9,900ft revealed an even split: propagation in two of four results:
-ECTP25 @7
-ECTP13 @30
-ECTN26 @30
-ECTX
Most notably, the upper layers of the snowpack are beginning to grow weak, with grains becoming more angular.
The depth hoar near the ground, however, shows the faintest signs of rounding edges (pictured), and can be made into a snowball.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates