Near Red Lake on Carson Pass

We went back to this area to see how the snowpack has changed since our last visit on 12/12/13. On the near and below treeline N-NE aspects in this area the snowpack consisted of a layer of moist well consolidated snow sitting above weak sugary facets. We still experienced widespread whumpfing and collapsing that occurred when the Dec. 7th facets broke under the weight of a person on a slope. The largest whumpfs and collapses occurred when 2 people could weight the slope. In this area we also recorded several unstable snowpit test results. All of these indicators of instability occurred in the lower angle (less than 30 degree) terrain that we chose to travel in.

Looking out at the above treeline N-NE slopes, I could see numerous exposed rocks and evidence of significant wind scouring. The slopes facing the southern half of the compass consist of mostly bare ground with a few areas of snow cover in places like sheltered gullies.

Photo and Video 1: A collapse crack triggered from over 20 ft away by Brandon and I stepping onto the NE facing test slope.

Photo 2: A view from Markleyville Peak to Elephants Back showing wind scoured above treeline terrain.

Video 2: ECTP on a N facing slope at 8600 ft.