Shallow snow, rocks, and whumpfing on Donnner Peak

Location Name: 
Donner Peak
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 12/11/2013 - 15:15
Location Map: 
United States
39° 18' 43.9704" N, 120° 19' 29.7696" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Surface hoar has formed in many of the sheltered areas on Donner Peak. These thin feathery snow grains represent the snowpack equivalent of frost. Below the surface the recent snow rests above the Dec. 7th facet layers. In the Donner Peak area today, collapses and whumpfs still occurred as this layer failed, but they were less consistent and smaller than those that occurred in other areas over the weekend and earlier this week. Snowpit tests did indicate that if this layer does break the resulting fracture can travel along this persistent weak layer.

As with other places around the forecast area, the snowpack is shallow and unsupportable. It is difficult to travel on the snow without hitting rocks or other buried obstacles. 

Photo 1: Surface Hoar  on a N aspect at about 7000 ft.

Photo 2: Snow cover or lack there of in one of the chutes off Donner.

Video: ECTP 10 on a NE aspect at 7400 ft. I also got an ECTP 15 and ECT 13 in similar nearby areas.

Snowpack photos: 
Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

ECTP at 7400' on Donner Peak

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Cooling
Wind Direction: 
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: