Solid Freeze on Castle Peak

Location Name: 
Castle Peak
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sat, 03/22/2014 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 21' 46.5732" N, 120° 20' 27.978" W
See map: Google Maps
US



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

Very good overnight freeze in this area.  Cool light NE/E winds helped to limit snow surface warming throughout the mid day hours and kept some exposed areas firm.  East and South aspects had 0-2'' of warm soft snow on top of a firm melt freeze crust by mid day providing good corn skiing.  An overall cool feeling with the NE/E winds above 8500' with no signs of wet snow instabilities.  This route is still skiable up and down with some careful route finding although the coverage is sparse below 7800'.  North aspects encountered in this area at exposed upper elevations were very firm and smooth with no signs of softening today.     

Photos#1and #2:  Views of the coverage on the south side of Castle Peak

Photo#3:  Very good overnight freeze with boot pen and ski pole pen at 0cm up to 11:00am on all aspects.

Photo#4:  Exposed North aspects were wind scoured down to an old firm crust, 8800'.  Smooth and firm and unskiable in areas.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Northeast