Rocks and facets on Waterhouse Peak.

Location Name: 
Waterhouse Peak
Region: 
Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel)
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 11/28/2016 - 12:15
Location Map: 
United States
38° 46' 37.2504" N, 119° 57' 55.1412" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Total snowpack height (HS) ranges from 30 to 70 cm in this areas between pass level (~7,750') and the summit of Waterhouse Peak (~9,500'). HS is more a function of forest canopy density rather than elevation with the greatest HS in open areas. This coverage is generally insufficient to keep skiers from hitting the numerous large rocks in this area.

Above ~ 9,000' on N aspects there is faceted old snow and basal ice below the recent storm snow. While the weaker old snow and recent new snow are fairly well anchored in this area, signs of instability were present. Snowpit tests indicated sudden collapse characteristics and likely propagation on multiple faceted layers below the most recent storm snow. Upon departing the snowpit location, an isolated skier triggered collapse and whumpf were triggered, affecting about a 3 m radius.

Some isolated signs of wind transport of snow on the ground over the previous 24 hours existed near the summit of Waterhouse peak (photo), but appeared much more significant on surrounding above treeline areas closer to Carson Pass.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Southwest