Observations from Rubicon

Location Name: 
Rubicon Peak
Region: 
West Shore Area
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 03/07/2016 - 14:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 59' 28.8852" N, 120° 7' 53.8896" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Guide at Tahoe Mountain School
Snowpit Observations
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: 

We dug a pit about 500 vertical feet below the summit of rubicon peak, test failures were in the storm snow and inconsistant.  The top 10-20 cm of unconsolidated snow slide fairly easily on test slopes at all elevations.  On wind loaded test slopes near the summit and ridgelines we saw shooting cracks 6-10 feet in length.  

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Northwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

Light snow and light winds all day.  Some wind transport at the upper elevations.  New snow was rimed.