Observations from Tallac

Location Name: 
Tallac
Region: 
Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay)
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 02/23/2017 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 54' 49.0932" N, 120° 6' 0.9396" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

The upper 200 feet on Tallac were wind hardened snow on N and E aspects. On W aspects there was slick rime ice and scoured conditions. Exposed ridges showed evidence of wind slab but minimal weak layers were found during multiple on the move pits. 

The bottom of the Corkscrew slide path was covered in debris from a large natural slide earlier this week. This was not present in the bottom of North Bowl. A similar but smaller slide was present near the bottom of the drainage below the Cross. No recent avalanche activity was observed. 

Solar aspects were developing slight crust by midday but the cold temps and light winds were keeping most of the snow cold and wintry. Many turns on steeper north facing slopes produced small loose dry slides that didn't travel too far. 

Photo 1: Settlement cones and cracking. 

Photo 2: Large cornices looming over the Corkscrew slide path. Very small natural loose snow slides observed near these cornices.

Photo 3: Loose dry avalanche (sluff) on a steeper slope holding impressive powder. 

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
West
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: