Variable conditions on Andesite

Location Name: 
Andesite Peak
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sat, 12/02/2017 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 21' 3.8808" N, 120° 21' 57.5856" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Observation made by: Guide at Alpenglow Expeditions
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Touring up towards Andesite today turned up a variety of snow surface conditions and a predictable increase in snowpack as I climbed. Little to no snow at the trailhead gave way to 1-2' of patchy snow as I rounded the corner into shadier aspects. In an open meadow @7,400', I found 80cm's of snow, with 8-10cm's of loose, unconsolidated near surface facets (weak, sugary snow), topped by large (5mm+) surface hoar grains. All this was sitting on a very hard rain crust. The skiing was good in shady, sheltered areas. Any piece of terrain exposed to sun had a significant crust, and areas exposed to wind was scoured down to the rain crust. 

 Photo 1: The summit of Andesite showed evidence of wind (cornices, scouring, exposed rain crust and drifted snow), and the snowpack averaged 110-115cms.

Photo 2: Snow coverage on the south face of Castle Peak.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Cloud Cover: 
75% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: 

The approaching weather system was visible from the crest looking west.