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Observation: Mill D North

Observation Date
3/31/2024
Observer Name
Hardesty and Wilson
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Mill D North
Location Name or Route
Mill D North
Weather
Sky
Broken
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Spring. Sunny and hot then snowing an inch and hour. Moderate southerly winds with minimal transport. Travel was Mill D North, up Short Swing, traverse to the Cone and into Lake Deso. Only noted minor wind slab development.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Heavy and thick; many solars will have a breakable mf crust.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
Did not experience cracking or collapsing or note avalanche activity.
Comments
Did not note significant wind slab development in our travels. Went to look for possible facets/crust from 3/27 on easterly aspects; they did not reveal themselves in these locations.

Remember the big warm-up mid March? A 10-15cm thick layer of melt freeze grains 60cm down did not lock-up in the subsequent storms and drop in temps (insulated by the storm snow). I suspect this layering is most pronounced in the mid-elevation easterly aspects. Wet slabs are notoriously difficult to forecast but this layering may be something to keep an eye on.
Note black lines showing the unconsolidated wet mf grains.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates