Widespread ice at Red Lake

Location Name: 
Crater Lake
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 12/11/2016 - 13:31
Location Map: 
United States
38° 43' 14.0556" N, 119° 58' 23.646" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

From the beginning of the approach up to Crater Lake ice crusts were wide spread on all aspects with "slide for life" conditions on steep slopes. Crust varied from 3-5cm @7700' to 15cm @8800 ' in the pit profile. Compression test results showed CT10 SC @ 50cm ( this was at the the interface of ice crust to cluster layer) and CT14 SC @10cm ( this was at the interface of facet layer at bottom of pack). ECT results were ECTN5 @ 5cm. The PST showed no results on this same layer. No other signs of recent instability.

SW wind was mostly light with gusts up to 20mph. Transporting snow was observed on ridgelines and off of peaks loading the N-NE-E facing slopes.

 Pic 1: Reflection from crust layer on the surface.

Pic2/3: Shows the 15cm thick layer at top of pack

Pic2/3: Here is the same layer on its side after PST.

Pic 4: Facets at the bottom of snowpack

 

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
75% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Cooling
Wind Direction: 
Southwest