Desolation Wilderness Observations

Location Name: 
Desolation Wilderness
Region: 
Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay)
Date and time of observation: 
Tue, 01/25/2011 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 53' 58.38" N, 120° 8' 57.4476" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

SE to SW aspects had a well developed melt freeze crust at all elevations up to 10k'.  Below freezing temps in the early morning along with good radiational cooling of the snowpack overnight with clear skies all led to a good solid freeze of the surface melt freeze crust.  This crust began to soften in the late morning hours and stayed pretty consistent into the early afternoon.  No signs of wet slide related instabilities.

Photo:  Showing the shine in the morning light on E-N-W aspects.  These mostly shaded aspects have a mix bag of soft snow, firm windboard, and a variety of breakable/supportable crusts.  In some more exposed areas very firm conditions exist, not our typical ski touring conditions that we are used to in the greater Tahoe area.  To move through this type of terrain safely it may take additional skill and equipment. 

 

 

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
East
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: 

Clear skies all day with light east winds that could only be felt on the ridgelines and peaks.