Good overnight freeze on Ralston

Location Name: 
Ralston
Region: 
Echo Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 04/03/2017 - 11:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 49' 48.8784" N, 120° 5' 29.5512" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Obvious avalanche path
Terrain Trap
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Signs of a good overnight refreeze observed in this area, with firm snow in the trees in the morning, and south facing slopes without trees softening to 1" ski pen at 11am.  North aspects off Ralston were not enticing, with what appeared to be wind effected, firm conditions.

Pics 1 and 2: Previous winds left debris on near and below treeline slopes. This was influencing the ski conditions today, with darker/dirtier snow softening before cleaner and more reflective snow.

Pics 3 and 4: A large cornice drooping, and another that broke very recently. The cornice fall triggered a micro slab; possibly 1' thick at the crown but tapering to nothing quickly. Zoom in on looker's left.

A good overnight refreeze and cool NW/N winds kept surface melt superficial through my departure at 12pm. No signs of Loose Wet instabilities observed today.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
North
Accumulation rate: 
None
More detailed information about the weather: 

Winds below ridgetop were W/NW and N at ridgetop.