Snowpack observations from Waterhouse Peak

Location Name: 
Waterhouse Peak
Region: 
Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel)
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 02/12/2010 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 46' 35.5296" N, 119° 57' 55.6812" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Near the ridgeline on Waterhouse some small but tender cornices and wind-slabs had formed on N-NE aspects near treeline due to the wind-loading from the southwest winds. The largest of these slabs was only 4-5 inches deep and only extended downhill about 10 ft from the ridgeline. These slabs did fracture in response to a skier's weight. Once off the ridgeline mostly stable conditions existed on all aspects. Hand pits, quick test pits, and ski cuts on steep test slopes all indicated a stable snowpack in this area. 4-6 inches of unconsolidated snow still existed on the N-NE aspects above 8200'. On the SW-S-SE aspects a thin breakable melt-freeze crust existed on the snow surface up to 9000'. This thin melt-freeze crust also existed on the northerly aspects below 8200'.

Photo 1: Skier triggered crack on a wind-loaded, NE-facing test slope near treeline.

Photo 2: Thin, breakable melt-freeze crust at 8000' on a N facing aspect.

Snowpack photos: 
Any other comments about the observation or links to outside pages that have more info on the observation: 

 

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
None
More detailed information about the weather: 

More sun than forecasted and less wind. Snow transport only occurring during gusts. The melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed aspects had started to soften up to 9000' by noon.