Observations from Indian Valley

Location Name: 
Indian Valley
Region: 
Ebbetts Pass Area
Observation Date & Time: 
Thursday, December 31, 2020 - 12:00
Location: 
38.598090, -119.864010
See map: CalTopo
  • MapBuilder Topo
  • MapBuilder Hybrid
  • Forest Service 2016
  • NAIP 2013
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Is this an Avalanche Observation?: 
No


Conditions Alerts:

  • Other Signs of Instability (cracking, whumpfing, collapsing)
  • Persistent Problem
  • Recent Loading
  • Recent Loading›Blowing Snow

Terrain Alerts: 
Trigger Points
Terrain Traps
Terrain Matches the Advisory
Observation made by: Professional Observer

Tabs

Observation
Description of Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions: 

Moderate NE winds were observed to be transporting snow throughout our ride today. I looked in several sheltered places and found buried surface hoar down 3-4". On more exposed terrain, I couldn't find it. Dec 11th facets were still observed to be quite weak in this area. The slab above them has become more supportable: We rode similar terrain as on Dec 28th, and today found much better traction and hit fewer obstacles, though aggressive moves could still sink tracks to the Dec 11th facets.

Photo: Checking for more Dec 11th facets after performing the ECT.

Video: Although I was finding the Dec 25th layer throughout the day, this was easily the most wind loaded area we traveled, and thus had the most cohesive snow on top of the Dec 25th layer. 
Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Videos: 

20201231 ECTP on Dec 25th layer

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