Observations from Andesite Peak

Location Name: 
Andesite Peak
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 01/08/2014 - 10:55
Location Map: 
United States
39° 21' 2.322" N, 120° 21' 53.5572" W
See map: Google Maps
US



Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

The snowpack in this area consisted of shallow melt freeze on E aspects and supportable facets on NE-ENE aspects. The near surface facets at the top of the snowpack were low density with 2 to 7 cm of ski penetration. These crystals are very well developed at 2 mm with 2 to 3 striations per crystal. On the NE aspects, the slab that once sat on top of the Dec 7 facet layer has literally disintegrated via the near surface faceting process. In essence there is plenty of weak layer here, but no overlying slab.

Photo: Ski tracks penetrating around 7 cm into the near surface facet layer with supportable snow below.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
75% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
West