Windy at Silver Peak

Location Name: 
Silver Peak
Region: 
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area
Observation Date & Time: 
Monday, January 13, 2020 - 12:45
Location: 
39.224162, -120.242484
See map: CalTopo
Is this an Avalanche Observation?: 
No


Conditions Alerts:

  • Other Signs of Instability (cracking, whumpfing, collapsing)
  • Other Signs of Instability (cracking, whumpfing, collapsing)›Shooting Cracks
  • Persistent Problem
  • Recent Loading
  • Recent Loading›Blowing Snow

Terrain Alerts: 
Slopes Steeper than 30 degrees
Obvious Slide Path
Trigger Points
Terrain Traps
Terrain Matches the Advisory
Observation made by: Guide at Tahoe Mountain School

Tabs

Observation
Description of Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions: 

Toured in the Silver Peak area today. Snow above treeline and on upper elevation ridges was mostly scoured to a firm crust. Just below ridgelines on lee slopes snow was wind affected with obvious pockets of wind slab. Cracking was mostly limited to slopes that had been undercut by a skin track and cohesive blocks did not seem eager to slide. Moving lower in elevation the snow quality improved and fun turns were found. 

Photo 1: Cracking on an undercut skin track. 

Cracking on an undercut skin track.
Cracking on an undercut skin track.
BESbswy