Quick report
- Aspect
- Northeast
- Red Flags
- Recent Avalanches, Heavy Snowfall, Wind Loading, Collapsing, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Elevation
- 2713 m
- Slope Angle
- 25°
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Early season conditions with facets from November snow are now covered by December snow, producing numerous avalanches. Visibility from along the Mill Creek ridgeline allowed us to see the avalanches linked to below.</p>
Avalanches viewed today include:
Sheep Shit: https://utahavalanchecenter.org/avalanche/90755 Little Water: https://utahavalanchecenter.org/avalanche/90747 Murdock Main Bowl: https://utahavalanchecenter.org/avalanche/90757 Murdock North Ridge: https://utahavalanchecenter.org/avalanche/90821 Box Canyon: https://utahavalanchecenter.org/avalanche/90826 Lambs Ridge: https://utahavalanchecenter.org/avalanche/90827
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>We've dug three pits in this area this season prior to today and although the snow structure is the same, this is the first time we've seen so much avalanche activity and corresponding sensitivity in stability test. Prior pit results often failed on facets between various mid-pack facets (before late Nov snow, and before this most recent series of storms). Today we had pit results at the ground for the first time, which made me think about research showing how PWLs will re-awaken as they adjust to new loads. These results are also consistent with many of the avalanches we saw that ran to the ground.</p> <p>In many places wind would create hollow slabs which you'd break through into the facets. At times this made for awkward skiing.</p>
Most recent snow was of good quality. Coverage is dramatically improved but still would be good if there was more on the ground. South facing still didn't have enough cover to really ski.
Wind crust was evident in exposed areas.