Quick Pit on Relay Peak

Location Name: 
Relay Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 12/20/2012 - 13:15
Location Map: 
United States
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: 

I tried to dig this pit in an untracked area, all adjacent areas had been getting pretty hammered by snowmobiles. I didn't really experience any significant collapses, but some isolated shooting cracks. Winds were definitely loading E-N slopes, even though at times it was hard to tell where the wind was coming from. The December 2 rain crust is getting deeper and deeper but is certainly still less than a meter down in a lot of places which is ominous with the facet development right on top of that. There were some tricky wind loaded areas in the trees on the West aspect of the backside of Tamarack Peak, a few isolated pockets in some decel zones popping out here and there up to 6" deep. Not too big a concern, but a big enough one could catch someone by surprise. I also kicked some refigerator size cornice onto a little ENE test slope and had no results, could be not enough slope angle.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Strong
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
None
More detailed information about the weather: 

 Wind was about all I can say about the weather today.