Weakness in the Nov 18th facet layer on the far east ridge of Tamarack Peak

Location Name: 
Far East Ridge of Tamarack Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 11/24/2011 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 18' 48.5964" N, 119° 54' 18.648" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Even though the Nov 18th facet layer exists and remains weak in most parts of this area the snowpack remains very shallow. Most areas still have anchors protruding through the weak layer and in many places these anchors poke all the way through the snowpack. The few slopes where the anchors are covered also hold the weakest facets and the most snowpack instability. In the vicinity of the snowpit attached to this observation, enough anchors existed to prevent fractures from traveling very far through the weak layer. A few hundred yards away on a more open slope with more snow the Nov 18th facet layer and the slab on top of it were thicker and several 20-35 ft human-triggered shooting cracks occured due to fractures and collapse in the November 18th facet layer.

Photo: Shooting cracks on a N facing slope at 9100 ft where a deeper snowpack existed.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
75% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

Snow turned to light rain at about 7500 ft.