Decent Refreeze and Snow Surface Conditions on Relay Peak

Location Name: 
Relay Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Observation Date & Time: 
Thursday, April 27, 2023 - 11:00
Location: 
39.313312, -119.935893
See map: CalTopo
Is this an Avalanche Observation?: 
No


Conditions Alerts:

  • Rapid or Prolonged Warming
  • Rapid or Prolonged Warming›Strong Sunshine
  • Rapid or Prolonged Warming›Warm Temperatures
Observation made by: Forecaster

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Observation
Description of Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions: 

We went to the Mt Rose area to ski off of the East Ridge of Relay Peak today.  Warm temperatures with sunny skies greeted us at the trailhead mid-morning.  We moved up through terrain and found a 4''+ melt freeze, P to 1F hardness crust, on East aspects with a couple inches of soft wet snow on the surface.  East aspects in this area had some previous runnels on the snow surface which made for not very smooth conditions, but decent snow conditions.  We moved over to South aspects on the ridge and found smoother snow surfaces with good supportable snow conditions up to 11am.  With above freezing overnight temperatures, the snow surface refreeze window is short requiring an early start and exit.     

Hide Terrain Details
Terrain: elevations: 
Near Treeline
Below Treeline
Terrain: aspects: 
N
NE
E
SE
S
Hide Weather Details
Elevation of Observation: 
8000 - 9000 ft.
Above 9000 ft.
Blowing Snow: 
None
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Sky Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
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