Large Windslabs on East Ridge Tamarack Peak

Location Name: 
Tamarack Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sat, 12/22/2012 - 09:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 18' 45.1008" N, 119° 54' 34.02" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
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: 

Windslabs up to 60cm in below treeline terrain off of the East Ridge.  There is 120cm of snow on top of the 12/2 facet layer in this location.  Gale force SW winds and very limited visibility prevented access to upper exposed terrain.  Many small shooting cracks and lots of cracking around skis on the firm surface windslab, ski pen was 10-15cm in all but the most wind protected areas.  I ski cut many small test slopes in this area with no results on the very stubborn windslabs although I was getting consistent failures of these windslabs with the ECT's.  I did 1 PST to test the 12/2 facets and the block failed during isolation after I broke through the rain crust.

Photo:  Cracking around skis on ascent in below treeline terrain.

Video#1:  ECTP-16 down 60cm on windslab density change.  9200', north aspect, 35 degree slope.

Video#2:  Conditions at 9200', below treeline and just off of the East Ridge.

Snowpack photos: 
Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

mt rose2012 12 22 002

mt rose2012 12 22 003

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