Observations near Elephant's Back

Thin snow coverage continues in the Carson Pass area. Multiple snow measurements in a 50 foot area on north east terrain with minimal wind loading showed depths of: 20, 50, 65, and 90 cms of very light snow. In this location snowpack consisted of recent storm snow onto the ground. Downhill riding is not really possible yet in this area. 

Areas of Wind Slab were easy to spot near cornices and other wind features. Cracking of up to a foot extended from the end of ski tips in these isolated areas. 

Most areas probed during today's tour indicated recent storm snow onto the ground but one open area near treeline did have 9cms of older faceted snow below the newer storm snow. This structure could be detected by probing. Facets were 4mm and weak but not completely sugar like. I got a CTM 15 (SC) at the ground/snow interface, and the snow was 75 cms in this location. After the CT, I got an ECTP 13 also at the ground/snow interface. 

Heads up, Frog Lake is not yet totally frozen. 

Photo 1: Cracking near cornice features

Photo 2: Still very thin and rocky in this north facing 9000 foot elevation terrain.

Photo 3: Looking at the base of a 75cm snow pack.

Photo 4: An ECTP 13 that broke at the ground. This followed a CTM 15 (SC) in same location.