Observations from Carpenter Ridge

Location Name: 
Carpenter Ridge
Region: 
Independence Lake Area
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 04/05/2010 - 12:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 24' 43.1748" N, 120° 18' 49.8744" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Photo 1: Intentional skier triggered collapse of refrigerator sized corices along the ridge in wind loaded near treeline terrain produced only sluffing of the top few inches of the new snow in most locations.

Photo 2: Small slabs with fracture propagation up to 3m were found on test slopes in isolated areas. Too much blowing snow to identify crystal type of the failure layer. Most similar test slopes failed as sluffs.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
West
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

Off an on snow showers with snowfall intensity heavy at times with intermittent sun breaks. Light crusting on E aspects at 8,300' noticed in the late afternoon.