Wind Slab on Ralston E

Location Name: 
Ralston, E Ridge
Region: 
Echo Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 02/24/2011 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 49' 51.3588" N, 120° 5' 16.2564" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

No cracking or collapse observed - BUT w/ pencil hard wind slab (ski pen of only 3cm) that sounded "hollow", and w/ reactive ECT scores, I chose to significantly limit my exposure, thus reducing opportunities for informal observations.

Visibility was poor, especially before 13:00pm - often limited to less than 20ft.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
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: 
Cooling
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

Freezing fog, light precip, and light blowing snow observed from 8000ft and up until 13:00pm. After 13:00, skies became overcast with light precip and moderate blowing snow, and ridgetop winds increased from Strong to Extreme.