Observations from Frog Lake Ridge

Location Name: 
Frog Lake Ridge
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Tue, 01/24/2017 - 11:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 41' 18.9312" N, 119° 59' 3.7392" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Pic 1: CTs and Shovel Tilts showed a shallow storm instability. The top 15-20cm of snow was very low density.

Pic 2 and 3: Several recent small natural avalanches observed, consistent with CTs, Shovel Tilts, and cutting test slopes.

Pic 4: Cutting an unsupported, wind loaded test slope. This fracture did not travel far from my skis, nor did it trigger anything on the slope below.

Pic 5: Very recent natural cornice fall from this area resulted in ~10 cubic meters of cornice debris on the slope below, but did not trigger further instabilities. Most steep, windloaded slopes observed in this area showed signs of previous avalanching that had been covered by recent snow.

HS in the area was probed at 300cm and beyond the reach of my 300cm probe.

 

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
East
Accumulation rate: 
None