Avalanche activity and snowpit profile on Castle Peak

Location Name: 
Castle Peak
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 10/24/2012 - 12:15
Location Map: 
United States
39° 22' 0.084" N, 120° 21' 21.384" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Photo 1: Shooting cracks adjacent to the snowpit and small avalanche/test slope failure location. Cracks such as these were widespread in the general area in any near treeline and above treeline locations with moderate to heavy wind loading.

Photo 2: Small intentionally skier triggered avalanche on a test slope adjacent to a larger avalanche path.

Storm snow on the ground was of increasing density from top to bottom. Weak layers within the storm snow did not appear problematic. Instability in the area was focused on wind slabs in wind loaded areas. Wind slabs up to one foot thick were observed near treeline with evidence of thicker and larger wind slabs on open wind loaded slopes.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Strong
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
West
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

Snowfall of varying intensity, no greater than 1/2 inch per hour and blowing snow were observed continuously from 10:00am to 2:00 pm.