Snowpit from Elephant's Back

Location Name: 
Elephant's Back
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Tue, 12/08/2009 - 11:49
Location Map: 
United States
38° 40' 49.584" N, 119° 59' 0.96" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

On pit location:

This slope was subject to E winds on 11/28/09 and was stripped back to the ice layer with some remaining facets and some remaining DFs.

This slope was subject to significant sluffing from rocks above. Most of the slope surface was debris from this sluffing. Pit was dug in one of the few clean spots.

Prior to my arrival, sluffing did initiate a small, shallow slab fracture consistent with my test results. The one sluff I witnessed (see pic) probably deposited 2 cubic meters of snow onto slope and failed to initiate any additional slope failure.

On column tests:

After columns failed, I continued on all four tests to try to get the column to fail on the faceted layer, but could not within 30.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Any other comments about the observation or links to outside pages that have more info on the observation: 

On whumpfing:

I experienced two significant whumpfs / collapses that propagated the full extent of the specific terrain feature. Another very experienced traveller reported the loudest whumpf he's ever heard.

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Strong
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
None
More detailed information about the weather: 

Significant wind transport throughout the Elephant's Back / Roundtop area. Windward slopes at treeline still held plenty of snow for transport, with a consistent 30cm ski pen.