Observations from Carson Pass

Location Name: 
Elephants Back and greater Carson Pass area
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 12/04/2011 - 11:30
Location Map: 
United States
38° 40' 50.844" N, 119° 59' 0.492" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Northerly aspects in this area held one of three snowpack situations: bare ground, hard wind slabs over well developed facets, or soft faceted old snow slab over well developed facets. The Nov 18 facet layer is still very weak but the observed overlying hard slabs were not conducive to avalanche activity due to anchoring.

Photo 1: Hard wind slab over well developed facets in the graphed pit on Elephant's Back.

Photo 2: Similar hard slabs in the Round Top Peak complex.

Photo 3: NE aspect of Elephant's Back where the noted pit was dug. Significantly scoured by recent east winds.

Photo 4: N aspect of Red Lake Peak above Crater Lake - heavily wind scoured.

Photo 5: Peaks surrounding the Blues Lakes area - northerly aspects heavily scoured.

 

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