Snow pits near White Rock Lake

A group of 9 snowmobilers rode from Little Truckee Summit to White Rock Lake as part of an Avalanche 2 Class sponsored by the Sierra Avalanche Center today.  Snow conditions were variable with icy crust in the trees, barely edgeable hardpack on exposed slopes, and surprisingly some isolated soft snow in gulleys and protected areas that were not under trees.  We also found isolated pockets of surface hoar in protected shaded areas.  As part of the class, we performed small and large column compression tests on northeast, north, and northwest aspects at the +-8,000' elevation near White Rock Lake. The small column tests gave sudden planer and resistant planer results at a depth of 30 cm, but there was no propagation with the large column tests, and no noticeable areas of instability found while we were riding.  All in all a fun and educational day with a great group of riders…