Snowpit from Crater Lake

Submitted by travis on Thu, 04/22/2010 - 12:28pm
Location Name: 
Crater Lake
Region: 
Carson Pass Area

Location

United States
38° 43' 12.0216" N, 119° 58' 32.916" W
See map: Google Maps
Position: 
Professional Observer
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 04/22/2010 - 10:00am
Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Obvious avalanche path
Snowpit Observations
Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Informal tests and pit data show strengthening of lower density layer (39-47cm in pit). Stability test failures at 22cm consistent with informal tests - although fracture propagated, shear quality was Q3. Ski cuts produced shooting cracks limited to 2 meters and no slab fractures - though I avoided larger terrain features, especially slopes with poor compressive support.

Excellent skiing conditions.

 

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

Wind began increasing and shifting from the North. Minimal wind transport observed, but I left just as winds began increasing.