Wet snow on Rubicon Peak.

Location Name: 
Rubicon Peak
Region: 
West Shore Area
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 02/26/2016 - 12:45
Location Map: 
United States
38° 59' 31.0704" N, 120° 7' 59.358" W
See map: Google Maps
US



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

While ascending the N slopes of Rubicon Peak between 10:45 am and 1 pm, surface wet snow of 2 to 3 cm on top of moist remnant storm snow was observed in the 7,000' to 7,800' zone. With continued ascent, surface wet snow diminished to 1 cm around 8,100'. By 8,200', the surface snow became and pockety mix of wet and dry snow. By 8,800', surface dry snow existed in all areas on N aspects. Around 1 pm, E aspects near the summit held a thin surface melt-freeze crust, entering a refreeze state. Near surface, drier remnant storm snow was observed below the surface melt-freeze crust.

A testpit dug at 8,520 on a N aspect below treeline (noted lat/long) revealed no problematic weak layers within the top 90 cm of the snowpack. Difficult to trigger ECTN results were observed with a rough failure plane (Q3).

Descending on skis produced minor roller balls up to 15 cm in diameter around 8,200' and below (photo).

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
75% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
More detailed information about the weather: 

High level cloud cover with some sun breaks throughout the day. Gradually increasing SW winds as forecast.