Minimal Snow Coverage in the Castle Peak Area

Location Name: 
Andesite Peak
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 03/15/2015 - 14:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 21' 3.4812" N, 120° 21' 59.2236" W
See map: Google Maps
US



Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Minimal snow coverage exists in the Castle Peak/Andesite Peak areas for ski recreation.  The Castle Peak Road no longer has continuous snow coverage to Castle Pass.  Surface snow conditions consisted of 3-6'' ski pen of wet snow that was sticky in most areas.  Boot penetration was supportable in some spots and knee deep in other areas that were near rocks/bushes/running water.  There were several large collapses that were felt near the summit area of Andesite Peak area in rocky terrain-in these areas you could push your ski pole down to the ground through the snow in very weak snow.  We did a Rutschblock Test on a NE aspect, 8120', 34 degree slope with a RB-7 score.  No signs of loose wet activity throughout the day while skiing with most travel limited to NW-E aspects. 

Photo#1:  South side Castle Peak

Photo#2:  Snow coverage on N/NE aspect of Andesite Ridge 7700-7900'.  Large areas of dirt around trees with minimal snow coverage.

Photo#3:  Castle Peak Road with minimal to no snow coverage.   

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
50% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Strong
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
More detailed information about the weather: 

Well above freezing temperatures overnight with some cloud cover.  Thin high clouds to the east of our area with mostly sunny to partly sunny conditions throughout the day.