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Observation: Death Hollow

Observation Date
12/16/2024
Observer Name
Andy Nassetta/Craig Gordon/
Region
Uintas » Death Hollow
Location Name or Route
Mill Hollow/Death Hollow
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Sunny, mild day quickly turned overcast right around noon.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Decent skiing on about 4" of higher density, storm snow from the weekend system. Thinner, or more protected areas where the pack has less structure are more trap-door-like when riding. You hit the gas, and your track punches right to the ground. The best riding and most consistent riding has been found on sheltered, lower angle, slopes with a northerly component that may be slightly exposed to the wind.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
The snow structure is a gong-show
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Visited wind sheltered terrain to get a feel for snow structure, but put the pieces together enough to know that terrain in the wind zone would be reactive to our weight. Feels like the hazard is isolated to terrain above treeline where recent snow and wind formed stiff slabs sitting atop the October snow and recently preserved, weak surface snow.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Problem #2 Comments
Drifitng on leeward slopes was pretty straight-forward. We experienced subtle collapses and minor cracking, but nothing too alarming.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate