Observations from Herlan Peak

Location Name: 
Herlan Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 12/31/2010 - 10:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 12' 1.4256" N, 119° 54' 50.2272" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

pic 1: Heavy riming on W aspects above 8400ft. This also existed on the snow surface, which prevented snow transported from yesterday's E winds from sticking to the rimed surface. Thus slabs on W aspects were very localized. Where they were thick, they were very small in surface area. And where they were medium in surface area, they were very thin. In neither case would they have presented a danger to a person in terms of burial.

pic 2: Settlement cracks observed around many tree wells on W aspects. Bonding between yesterday's wind transported snow and Tues/Wed storm snow was good. Mitt pitts identified no persistent weak layers.

Several sluffs entrained a moderate amount of snow, and failed to initiate additional fractures.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Accumulation rate: 
None
More detailed information about the weather: