Mt. Rose Observations

Location Name: 
East Ridge Tamarack Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 03/16/2012 - 09:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 18' 46.206" N, 119° 54' 41.1264" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Very windy with little visibility.  The January M/F crust facet combo was not reactive or showing signs of possible propagation with stability tests at our 1 snow pit location.  Below treeline there was some minor cracking but no other signs of instability.  Off the Ridge at 9400' there was evidence of natural avalanche activity and easily intentionally triggered wind slab avalanches. 

Photo#1: Recent natural avalanche slightly covered by new snow/windloading.  Cornice failure triggered.  75' wide by 200' long, 1.5' crown line.  9400', North aspect, 35-40 degree slope.

Photo#2 and #3:  Easy failures of fragile cornices with a ski kick resulting in wind slab avalanches.  9400', North aspect, 35-40 degrees, 1.5-2' deep, 100' wide by 250' long.

Video#1 ECTN in protected terrain just off ridgeline.

Video#2: PST 61/100 END down 96cm on faceted layer below January M/F crust.

Snowpack photos: 
Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

Mt.rose2012-3-16 003.avi

Mt.rose2012-3-16 004.avi

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Strong
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

-.5c at 9300' at 9am.  Strong to extreme SW winds.  Light snowfall.  Snow level 6500' at 8am and holding steady for most of the morning.