Tamarack Peak Snowpack Observations

Location Name: 
Tamarack Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 12/14/2012 - 11:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 18' 50.652" N, 119° 54' 57.6" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Some light sluffing in steeper terrain in this area today, other than that stability was very good with no other signs of recent instabilities.  The 2 main concerns moving forward are the 12/2 facet layer and surface hoar on the snow surface.  The 12/2 facets are buried about 30cm below the surface just below the prominent rain crust.  They are loose and are showing some sudden collape failures with CT's but no results with ECT's or PST's.  The rain crust is firm at most elevations but looses some strength around 9500' on shaded aspects and feels somewhat breakable to an uphill skier applying full weight.  The surface hoar was present at snow pit location, 9500' and some areas below but was not widespread.  The surface hoar sits on very low density snow.  Both of these concerns will not be a problem until we receive more snow which is forecasted for this week.

Video#1:ECTN at 171cm in the 12/2 facet layer.

Video#2:  PST 100/100 End at 171cm in the 12/2 facet layer.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

Mt Rose2012 12 14 001

Mt Rose2012 12 14 002

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: 

Light snow showers starting in the early afternoon hours.