Quick report
- Red Flags
- Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>No collapsing. </p>
I was interested in looking at snowpack in Millcreek after seeing Peter Earle's observation of a likely remotely-triggered slide in Porter Fork on Sunday. Main Porter is steep-sided, and the steep gully where this slide is located is shaded (photo). But I was also finding weak snow down near the ground on northwest and west aspects from 8200' and above. The slab above the facets continues to strengthen, and is now 4F to 1F in hardness.
Settlement cones around trees and shrubs are an indication of the low-density snow from this past week settling and the slab gaining strength.
Video discussion of what we found on northwest aspect at 9400' in Millcreek.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Did find some of the weakest basal facets I've seen in the central Wasatch. Mostly looking at west and northwest aspects > 8,000'. </p>
Whereas earlier this week the snow surface was weakening under cold, clear skies, today it was much denser and not as loose as 48 hours ago; most likely due to warm temperatures and cloud cover. Did also notice settlement cones (see photo below). HS now 90-100 cms > 8000' in Millcreek. Some wind effect also noted.