Observations from the Chutes @ Mt. Rose

Location Name: 
The Chutes
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Tue, 01/28/2014 - 12:00


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

We did receive a small amount of rain/mist over night all the way to the top which caused the top 10-15cm of consolidated 1mm rounds to become moist. Below that layer is either 15-20cm of 1-2mm facets above 10-15cm of 2-3mm basal facets or in some specific areas under the top 10-15cm of moist rounds was a 5-10cm thick pencil hard wind crust above 15-20 cm of 2mm facets above a 15-20cm thick knife hard wind crust (see picture) that is above 15cm of 3+mm basal facets. CT and ECT's all had easy results with sudden collapse and propagation failing above the thicker deeper wind slab.

Snowpack photos: 
Any other comments about the observation or links to outside pages that have more info on the observation: 

Additionally, I did come across a small wet loose natural slide that ran 200+/- feet from the top of the track in the Charge Chute. It appeared to be that top10-15cm of moist rounds running on the 10-15cm upper wind crust, initiating as a point release off the rocks at the top of the snowfield. Didn't hike up to the start zone but would aproximate the average slope angle to be around 35degrees maybe starting at 40+ degrees. (see picture).

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
75% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
West
Accumulation rate: 
None
More detailed information about the weather: 

Cloud cover throughout the day seemed to keep temps higher than expected. Definitely had a rain/mist event at somepoint in the night.