Observations from Castle Pk/Andesite Ridge

Location Name: 
Castle Pk/Andesite Ridge
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 12/12/2014 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 22' 2.496" N, 120° 21' 11.952" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Minimal evidence of instability was observed today in the Castle Peak and Andesite Ridge areas. New snow amounts were 12 inches at 7,200' and 24 inches 8,800'. The only evidence of instability observed was a test slope failure on Andesite Ridge on a wind loaded E aspect at 8,080'. This slope had been previously undercut by a ski cut that produced no signs of instability. A second ski cut placed above the first was above to release a small wind slab failing on a density change within the storm snow. Otherwise travel on numerous other wind loaded test slopes on both Andesite and Castle revealed no signs of instability. A test pit at the noted lat/long (Castle Pk, 8,840' NW aspect, near treeline) yielded ECTN results, all within the top 20cm of the 60cm of storm snow at the pit location. New snow was well bonded to the crust at the old/new snow interface. The overall elevation of this area (all below 9,000') was too low for the presence of basal facets.

Photo 1: Small slab release on previously undercut test slope mentioned above.

Photo 2: Settlement cracks on Andesite Ridge at ~8,100'.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour