Signs of Settlement, E Shore

Location Name: 
Herlan Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 02/20/2011 - 10:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 12' 10.6596" N, 119° 54' 22.6944" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Pic 1: N aspect, crossloaded slope at 8200ft. One of several consistent mitt pits showing density change remains, yet has begun compacting through settlement. Hand shears of poor quality. Old crust probed between 110cm and 130cm on N aspects above 7600ft, HS varied from less than 100cm to 280cm.

Pic 2: Settlement cones/cracks common on N, NW, W aspects observed today. Ski pen observed at no greater than 30cm.

A thin sun crust was observed on more solar aspects.

15cm to 20cm slab fractures were initiated on convex rolls while skiing W aspect, but remained very small and of no consequence.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
None
More detailed information about the weather: 

Temps quickly warmed by late morning. Dense, spring-like cumulus clouds observed W of Sierra Crest.