Observation: Steam Mill Peak

We toured up Hell's Kitchen to Steam Mill Peak. We observed no red flags during our day. We dug in the snow to observe the PWL and its likelihood to propagate. We did a Compression Test and an Extended Column Test with no results on the weak layer. We did have a Compression Test result at the new storm interface, but no propagation in our Extended Column Test. Following our 30 taps during our Extended Column Test, we pounded on the shovel as hard as we could, and were able to get propagation on the PWL but it was stubborn. We were in a very wind-sheltered area, so we did not have a stiff slab on top of the weak layer. It seems to be a much different story in areas that have a stronger slab, so we stayed off and out from under >30 degree slopes.

We had variable snow conditions, ranging from breakable crust in Hell's Kitchen in the morning (7k ft.), to medium density powder near Steam Mill Peak (9k ft.). On our drive down the canyon in the late afternoon, we also saw loose wet activity on the Dugway.