ECT in Poison Canyon

Location Name: Poison Canyon Region: Bear Valley Area Observation Date & Time: Sunday, February 10, 2019 - 14:00
Location: 38.494371, -120.015358 See map: CalTopo	Is this an Avalanche Observation?: No Conditions Alerts: Avalanche Activity Other Signs of Instability (cracking, whumpfing, collapsing) Other Signs of Instability (cracking, whumpfing, collapsing)›Collapsing / whumpfing noises Other Signs of Instability (cracking, whumpfing, collapsing)›Shooting Cracks Recent Loading Recent Loading›Blowing Snow Terrain Alerts: Slopes Steeper than 30 degrees Obvious Slide Path Trigger Points Terrain Traps

Location Name:

Poison Canyon

Region:

Bear Valley Area

Observation Date & Time:

Sunday, February 10, 2019 - 14:00

Location:

38.494371, -120.015358

See map: CalTopo

Is this an Avalanche Observation?:

Conditions Alerts:

Avalanche Activity
Other Signs of Instability (cracking, whumpfing, collapsing)
Other Signs of Instability (cracking, whumpfing, collapsing)›Collapsing / whumpfing noises
Other Signs of Instability (cracking, whumpfing, collapsing)›Shooting Cracks
Recent Loading
Recent Loading›Blowing Snow

Terrain Alerts:

Slopes Steeper than 30 degrees

Obvious Slide Path

Trigger Points

Terrain Traps

Observation made by: Guide at California Ski Guides

Tabs

Observation

Description of Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions:

While in Poison Canyon we observed multiple crowns on North Facing slopes (sorry no photos as all crowns were at a distance). We estimated these crowns to be 1m in height and 20 - 40 meters in width.

We then dug a pit on the south facing slope. Results were two CTEs 35cm from the surface on a mid-storm density change. Then two CTMs @77cm that broke on an old suncrust (visable in the photo) An ECT resulted in a sudden collape at 14 on this same layer. I would describe the snowpack in the Bear Valley area as unstable at this time.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph:

Snowpack Details

Total Snow Depth:

350cm

Persistent Weak Layers:

Not observed

Terrain Details

Terrain: elevations:

Near Treeline

Terrain: aspects:

Avalanche Details

Avalanche Type:

Unknown

Failure Plane/Weak Layer:

Unknown

Additional number of similar avalanches:

Trigger

Trigger:

Natural

Weather Details

Elevation of Observation:

7000 - 8000 ft.

Blowing Snow:

Light

Wind Direction:

Southwest

Wind Speed:

Light

Sky Cover:

Scattered - Partly Cloudy - 3/8 to 4/8 covered

Highest Precipitation Rate:

Very Light Snowfall (S-1 = up to .5cm /~.25 in per hour)

Precipitation:

Snow

Air temperature:

Below Freezing

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ECT in Poison Canyon

Conditions Alerts:

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ECT in Poison Canyon

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