Snowpit and observations from Tamarack Peak

Location Name: 
Tamarack Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sat, 12/01/2012 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 19' 1.416" N, 119° 55' 7.32" 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: 

Stubborn, difficult/unable to trigger wind slabs were widespread in this area today. Dropping cornice sections the size of a dishwasher onto loaded slopes with wind slabs produced no signs of instability (photo). Snowpit data did not reveal any additional evidence of instability concerning the surface wind slabs.

Snowpit tests did reveal that if the buried facets in the lower half of the snowpack (that exist in this area on northerly aspects above 9,500') were to collapse, propagation along the top of the facet layer is likely. ECT's did not produce any failure on this layer within 30 taps, but PST indicates likely sudden collapse and propagation if failure of this layer were triggered. At this time triggering failure on the top of the facet layer would be difficult for a skier/snowmobiler to accomplish without the aid of significant rapid additional loading from rain or snow.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
75% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Gale Force
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

Light snow and rain in this area during the morning hours with snow level around 8,300'. Thinning but still 75% cloud cover during the mid day/early afternoon hours.