Near Surface Faceting on Mt. Rose

Location Name: 
East Shoulder of Relay Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 12/09/2012 - 10:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 18' 39.492" N, 119° 56' 37.176" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Current snow stability in this area is very good.  Observations from the East shoulder of Relay Peak.  Snow pit dug adjacent to Friday's 12/7 pit in same location to check out near surface faceting.  Warmer temps in upper snowpack, the surface rain crust is deteriorating with facets on the surface and below the rain crust.  Boot pen = 25cm, Ski pen = 5cm.  The deteriorating rain crust made for some slightly punchy ski conditions on upper shaded aspects.  Stability tests were fairly consistent with tests from Friday all showing that these facets are not that weak at this point.  This near surface faceting doesn't affect our current stability but something to watch with the forecasted storms coming this week. 

Photo:  Surface faceting occuring on top of the surface rain crust.  10,200', north aspect.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Northeast
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: 

Cold NE winds at upper elevations.  Snow surface only softened on protected solar aspects below 9000'.