Old Crowns and Wet Loose on Thompson Peak

Location Name: 
Thompson Peak
Region: 
Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel)
Observation Date & Time: 
Saturday, January 30, 2021 - 10:00
Location: 
38.797579, -119.941196
See map: CalTopo
Is this an Avalanche Observation?: 
No


Conditions Alerts:

  • Rapid or Prolonged Warming
  • Rapid or Prolonged Warming›Strong Sunshine

Terrain Alerts: 
Slopes Steeper than 30 degrees
Trigger Points
Terrain Matches the Advisory
Observation made by: Public

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Observation
Description of Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions: 

We hiked from Luther Pass to the E aspects of Thompson Peak, traversing under the steep SE slope. We observed several old crowns on the steep slope above (photo 1). Later in the day around 12:30 the sun was strong and the trees were dripping and dropping a lot of snow. We observed new wet loose activity on the SW slope (photo 2). E aspect had decent cold snow. We measured the HS at 137.5cm on a ~10degrees ESE aspect around 8400'. We skied the S aspect to return to the highway where the snow was already manky, but the slope wasn't quite steep enough for serious rollerball or wet loose activity. Lots of sharks lurking.

Hide Snowpack Details
Total Snow Depth: 
137cm
Persistent Weak Layers: 
Not observed
Hide Terrain Details
Terrain: elevations: 
Below Treeline
Terrain: aspects: 
E
SE
S
Hide Weather Details
Elevation of Observation: 
8000 - 9000 ft.
Blowing Snow: 
None
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Sky Cover: 
Few - Mostly Clear - up to 2/8 covered
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
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