Observations from Angora

Location Name: 
Angora Peak
Region: 
Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay)
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 03/04/2011 - 11:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 51' 57.9348" N, 120° 4' 30.6804" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Rapid warming
Obvious avalanche path
Terrain Trap
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Pic 1: Significant settlement. New snow has settled down to ~20cm and less on N aspects below treeline, and remains mostly unconsolidated and well bonded to old snow, though the difference in hand hardness is greater than 1 step.

Pic 2: Recent natural cornice drops failed to intitiate avalanches of concern on NE aspect of Echo Peak. Similar results visible elsewhere in S portion of Desolation.

Pic 3: Wind has stripped new snow (localized) from ice layer created by recent wet snow/rain event. Where slabs have formed on top of ice layer, they appear well bonded. Ski cuts and mitt pits showed no signs of instability. Also note mid-day solar radiation on mostly N aspect.

Our return through low elevation SE aspects was drier than expected, with no wet instabilities observed.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Accumulation rate: 
None
More detailed information about the weather: 

Very thin, high cloud cover