Observations from Hidden Peak

Location Name: 
Hidden Peak
Region: 
West Shore Area
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 01/15/2016 - 12:30
Location Map: 
United States
38° 58' 42.4812" N, 120° 7' 27.3144" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Snowpit data at 7680 ft. 8620 on NE facing aspects did not detect buried surface hoar layers in the snowpack ast those specific locations. At the lower elevation ECT did not produce unstable results, but fractures did propagate across the column at the interface between yesterday's snow and last night's snow about 30 cm below the surface (ECTP 21). Ski cuts on steep non-wind affected test slopes in near and below treeline terrain did not produce results or yield any further evidence of instabilty.

Wind slabs and wind affected snow did exist on open near and above treeline slopes. One ski cut on a small,. previously undercut, wind loaded test slope at 8900 ft. did trigger a small wind slab that failed at the interface between yesterday's snow and last night's snow. Ski cuts on other wind loaded test slopes in near treeline terrain did not produce results. 

Photo 1: Small wind slab failure on a previously undercut wind loaded test slope on a NE aspect at 8900 ft. 

Photo 2: Settlement cracks around the base of a tree on a NE aspect at 8000 ft. 

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