Snowpack observation, skier triggered wet snow slides over warming rocks

Location Name: 
Pyramid Peak
Region: 
Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay)
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 04/24/2011 - 14:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 49' 47.5644" N, 120° 8' 56.6124" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Rapid warming
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Public
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Skied south facing slopes below Pyramid Peak, up Rocky Creek.  Warm in the morning and then cloudy in the afternoon.  Snow went from firm in the trees to sloppy in the south facing slopes to firm at elevations above ~ 8000 ft.  Particulalry deep spring slush (~12" +) on south facing slopes with instabilities likely due to rocks warming in the sun.  Wet snow slide in tthe R1D1 range.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: