Crusts and Facets above 8000 ft. on Castle Peak

Location Name: 
Castle Peak
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Tue, 11/25/2014 - 10:45
Location Map: 
United States
39° 22' 3" N, 120° 21' 17.1" W
See map: Google Maps
US



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

8 to 18 inches of snow existed on the shaded north and northwest aspects of Castle Peak above 8000 ft. Near the ridgelines on these aspects less snow existed due to previous east wind scouring. Most areas where snow cover existed rocks, shrubs, stumps, and other anchors still protruded through the snowpack. On a few of the more sheltered slopes above 8300 ft. these anchors had been buried and a relatively smooth snow surface existed. The snowpack on these N-NW aspects consisted of a mix of hard, breakable, rain and melt-freeze crusts and soft weak facets.

Photo 1: N-NW facing slope at about 8200 ft. with anchors protruding through the snowpack.

Photo 2: More sheltered NW facing slope at 8600 with deeper snow cover. Anchors on this slope are mostly covered.

Photo 3: Snow coverage on the N side of Castle Peak.

 

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Air temperature trend: 
Warming