Trimmer Peak

Location Name: 
Trimmer Peak
Region: 
Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel)
Observation Date & Time: 
Saturday, January 30, 2021 - 11:30
Location: 
38.878997, -119.925263
  • MapBuilder Topo
  • MapBuilder Hybrid
  • Forest Service 2016
  • NAIP 2013
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Is this an Avalanche Observation?: 
No


Conditions Alerts:


Terrain Alerts: 
Obvious Slide Path
Terrain Traps

Observation made by: Professional Observer

Tabs

Observation
Description of Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions: 

 We started early around 0730 @ 6600'. Clouds were scattered and temps were well below freezing. There was no wind all day and no transporting snow. On the way up snow was still pretty unconsolidated, ski pen was near boot top and boot pen was 60cm punching through faceted layers below. At 8300' we stopped at the ridge and there was around 130cm of snow with the Dec.11th layer present with larger faceted grains (2-3mm). As we continued up there was no signs of instability in the surrounding terrain. As we approached the summit and neared the ridge we started seeing signs of wind effected snow but was only in isolated spots. At the top we kicked off a small and predictable windslab, again in an isolated area where wind was channeled. We descended down a couple hundred feet to dig a pit, as we regrouped to dig we felt a collapse under our feet. As we dug we found that the snowpack was shallow and weak near the bottom. Compression tests, extended column tests and propagation saw test all showed failure on the Dec.11th layer. On our descent snow was starting to setup from the incoming sunlight and began to fall out of trees. We saw small rollerballs on sunny aspects and the snow was getting heavier as we lost elevation in these sunny locations. 

Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Videos: 

Trimmer Peak PST

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
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Total Snow Depth: 
125cm
Persistent Weak Layers: 
Buried
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Terrain: elevations: 
Above Treeline
Near Treeline
Below Treeline
Terrain: aspects: 
NW
N
NE
W
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Elevation of Observation: 
6000-7000 ft.
7000 - 8000 ft.
8000 - 9000 ft.
Above 9000 ft.
Sky Cover: 
Scattered - Partly Cloudy - 3/8 to 4/8 covered
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
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