Snowpit and test slope failure on Hidden Peak

Location Name: 
Hidden Peak
Region: 
West Shore Area
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 04/21/2010 - 11:30
Location Map: 
United States
38° 58' 45.822" N, 120° 7' 42.3012" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Unstable slabs remained in the most wind affected areas. In less wind affected areas, skier triggered sluffs occurred in very steep areas.

Photos 1 and 2: Test slope slab failure 20cm deep on lower density new snow near the base of the storm snow. Test slope along summit ridge at 8,990', 077 deg aspect, 35 to 50 deg slope angle.

Photo 3: A very shallow slab failure occurred below treeline at 7,500' on a steep convex feature. Not a real instability concern due to size and depth.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
West
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: