Hard Slab and Weak Facets on Castle Peak

Location Name: 
Castle Peak
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 12/12/2011 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 22' 0.66" N, 120° 21' 20.664" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Snow depth varied from almost 80 cm to 40 cm in the vicinity of this pit. The hard slab thickness did no vary as much as the thickness of the Nov. 18th facet layer. Where the snowpack was the deepest this layer was more than 20 cm thick. In the more shallow areas, this layer only measured 5-10 cm in thickness. Where this layer was thin the facets were larger, more striated, and weaker.
Overall snow conditions varied from breakable crust to wind board, wind scoured icy areas, and some soft "recrystalized" snow on the more sheltered northerly aspects.

Video: ECT failure on the Nov 18th facets.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

2011 12 12 Castle 001

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Cooling
Wind Direction: 
Northeast
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: