Snowpit on Relay Peak East Ridge

Location Name: 
Relay Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Tue, 11/29/2011 - 12:20
Location Map: 
United States
39° 18' 47.844" N, 119° 56' 20.112" 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: 

The November 18 facet layer is still weak and unstable in this area. The overlying slab composed of storm snow from Nov 18-19 has faceted. The overlying slab has lost strength to the point that it will no longer sustain propagation of fracture. It will take a new slab forming event to put all of the ingredients for a slab avalanche back in place on this slope.

Photo 1: Back wall of snowpit with delineation of facet layer(s) plainly visible.

Photo 2: Post PST showing slab fracture and facet layer.

Photo 3: Fracture in ski track from collapsing of weak layer. Overlying slab was too weak to allow significant propagation.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: