Slow to get started storm with snowfall rates 1 to 2"/hr on Rubicon Pk.

We went to Rubicon Peak today to have sub 30 degree slope angle terrain to work with and no steeper terrain above. We also wanted to observe loading on the Jan 4 crust/facet layer. Today's snowfall and the onset of high intensity snowfall rates were slower to start than forecast. Snowfall rates began to exceed 1 inch per hour around noon and were up to 2 inches per hour at times during the afternoon. New snow amounts of 6 to 8 inches accumulated prior to our departure from the area just after 3 pm. During the drive back to Truckee, snowfall rates increased a bit into the evening hours. 

We did not get as much new snow as anticipated in this area prior to our departure and therefore did not have the opportunity to see the reaction of a 1 foot plus new snow load on the existing snowpack. With the 6 to 8 inch load, we saw some very minor cracking down to the Jan 4 crust while breaking trail, but no signs of meaningful propagation under this amount of new snow load.

The upper portions of Rubicon Peak are not very efficient for building continuous wind slabs. Where we did see deposition of wind drifted snow in pillows behind trees, we saw very little snow surface cracking.

The delayed onset of the storm and later than expected onset of snowfall rates at 2 inches per hour seemed to limit the amount of encountered signs of instability.