E Shoulder Castle Peak

Location Name: Castle Peak Region: Donner Summit Area Observation Date & Time: Tuesday, March 8, 2022 - 11:45
Location: 39.365106, -120.338235 See map: CalTopo	Is this an Avalanche Observation?: No

Observation made by: Public

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Observation

Description of Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions:

Today we toured below the south face of Castle Peak and over looker's right shoulder to monitor snowpack conditions on the North Bowl. This marked the final day of an NASTC AVY 2 Course, our group consisted of 9 students and 2 instructors, and our goal was focused on collaboratively collecting forecaster level data from three separate snowpits on the same elevation and aspect.

Our tour began around 8:15am, skies were slightly cloudy, with cold, dry winds prevailing out of the E and NE, gusting to ~ 25mph. Snow conditions on the skin up were firm with minimal ski penetration. Warming occured throughout the day, and skies cleared making for a warmed midday ski back down skin track on softer snow.

The group's 3 individual snow pit observations targeted weak layers on a NW aspect slope. CT, ECT and Propagation Saw Tests were run to test weak layers in. Height of the snow was considerably deep in this zone. There was evidence of scouring and wind slabs on and above the primary North Bowl from previous days' blustery east winds.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph:

Snowpack Details

Total Snow Depth:

365cm

Persistent Weak Layers:

Buried

Terrain Details

Terrain: aspects:

Weather Details

Elevation of Observation:

8000 - 9000 ft.

Blowing Snow:

None

Wind Direction:

Northeast

Wind Speed:

Light

Sky Cover:

Few - Mostly Clear - up to 2/8 covered

Precipitation:

None

Air temperature:

Below Freezing

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E Shoulder Castle Peak

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E Shoulder Castle Peak

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