Munchkins Zone - East Bowl

Location Name: Munchkins Zone - East Bowl Region: Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area Observation Date & Time: Wednesday, December 26, 2018 - 14:00
Location: 39.170300, -120.217100 See map: CalTopo	Is this an Avalanche Observation?: No Terrain Alerts: Slopes Steeper than 30 degrees Obvious Slide Path Trigger Points Terrain Traps Terrain Matches the Advisory

Observation made by: Public

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Observation

Description of Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions:

Went for a short tour to the top of the ridge (8000 ft) in the Munchkins area adjacent to Alpine Meadows. Overall snowpack seemed very stable. Newer cornice on ridge above ENE bowl broke easily on two kicks. Cornice caused little failure on the leeward slope below, small amounts of recent storm snow slid 10-15 feet. Ski cuts did not produce any signs of instability on obviously loaded slope along same ridge. Did not observe any signs of E/NE wind transport from 12/25. West slopes showed obvious scouring. Lower elevations held 1-2cm of soft snow on top of firm rain crust.

Dug a quick pit at 7300 feet. HS 83CM. CTN & CT26 BRK.

Looking south down the ridge. Scoured western slopes and small cornices on the eastern slopes

Small cornice broke easily after second kick.

Cornice break from underneath.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph:

Snowpack Details

Total Snow Depth:

83cm

Terrain Details

Terrain: elevations:

Near Treeline

Below Treeline

Terrain: aspects:

Weather Details

Elevation of Observation:

6000-7000 ft.

7000 - 8000 ft.

Blowing Snow:

None

Wind Direction:

Southwest

Wind Speed:

Calm

Sky Cover:

Few - Mostly Clear - up to 2/8 covered

Precipitation:

None

Air temperature:

Above Freezing

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Munchkins Zone - East Bowl

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Munchkins Zone - East Bowl

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