Point-release avalanches and snowpack observations on Jake's Peak

Location Name: 
Jake's Peak
Region: 
West Shore Area
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Wed, 04/07/2010 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 58' 1.2612" N, 120° 6' 46.53" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Rapid warming
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Forecaster
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
wet,loose,
Slope: 
38degrees
Trigger type: 
Skier
Crown Height: 
Less than 1 ft
Aspect: 
Southeast
Weak Layer: 
Storm Snow
Terrain: 
Below Treeline
Elevation: 
8 400ft.
Bed Surface: 
Storm Snow
Avalanche Length: 
600ft.
Number of similar avalanches: 
5-10
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

Several point release slides occurred on steep sun-exposed slopes on Jake's Peak yesterday and some more today. Some of these slides were skier-triggered and some occurred naturally. All of the slides were due to rapid warming of the surface snow. The snow on the SE-S aspects in this area still has not gone through enough melt freeze cycles to become corn snow. By noon today the snow on the E-SE-S aspects had become wet, heavy, and sticky. A thin breakable sun crust even existed on northerly slopes that saw any sun. The snow on the northerly aspects also became wet and heavy on the up to 8800' by 1:30 pm. Lighter, soft snow still existed in the shady patches on the northerly aspects.

Photo 1. Skier triggered point-release slides on the SE side of Jake's Peak. These slides probably occurred yesterday.

Photo 2. Natural point-release slides on a SE aspect north of Jakes Peak at 8600'.

Avalanche Photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: