Shallow Snowpack and Reactive Facets on Rubicon

Location Name: 
Rubicon Peak
Region: 
West Shore Area
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 11/18/2015 - 13:30
Location Map: 
United States
38° 59' 23.388" N, 120° 8' 6.504" W
See map: Google Maps
US



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

Numerous exposed and barely covered rocks, stumps, trees, and other obstacles still exist on Rubicon Peak. Snow depth ranged from 10 to 15 cm below 8000 ft. to about 50 cm near 9000 ft. Above 8000-8200 ft. the snow surface on the northerly aspects remained soft and unconsolidated. Below that elevation a breakable melt-freeze crust existed on the snow surface. The weak sugary snow layers near the bottom of the snowpack seen in other areas also existed here on Rubicon Peak. Snowpit tests from many different areas between 8200 ft and 9000 ft. showed similar results to those recorded in the snowpit attached to this observation. If this layer of facets does break the resulting fracture could travel through it. Fortunately this layer was interrupted a myriad of anchors poking through it in this area. 

Traveling on skis in this area remains difficult to do without hitting the myriad of obstacles buried just below the surface.

Photo: N aspect @ 8900 ft. 

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Northwest
Accumulation rate: 
None