Castle Peak Snowpack Observations

Location Name: 
Castle Peak
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sat, 12/08/2012 - 14:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 21' 51.0588" N, 120° 21' 5.1192" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Snowpack stability is very good in this area with the upper snowpack consisting of very strong rain crusts.  Very little amount of faceting occuring below the surface rain crust in some softer snow-currently not a concern in this area.  The surface rain crust is very strong with boot pen and ski pen at 0cm on most aspects.  Snow on south aspects warmed up with 2-3'' of soft corn like snow existing in the mid day hours.  All other aspects remained firm all day with upper exposed aspects very firm.  Very little roller ball activity observed today from skiing.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Any other comments about the observation or links to outside pages that have more info on the observation: 

Very firm conditions exist in this area with the potential for slide for life situations, especially on upper west aspects.  There was some isolated rock fall and ice fall on the south face of Castle Peak.  Streams are flowing with lots of water and tricky crossing below 7500'.

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
West
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: