Incline Lake Peak Observations

Location Name: 
Incline Lake Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 03/17/2011 - 12:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 17' 39.498" N, 119° 56' 25.8756" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

The recent storm snow has gained additional strength overnight providing overall good stability on all aspects in the 8500-9600' elevation range in the Mt. Rose region.  Some minor cracking in isolated wind loaded terrain on the upper ridgetops but informal tests; ski cuts, cornice drops-all showed no results.  ECT's showed no propagation results on the upper wind slab.  Solar aspects still held winter snow conditions until 12:30pm.  No signs of any wet snow instabilities on solar aspects up to midday, temps were cold, upper teens, and the wind also helped to keep the snow surface cold.  Some loose snow avalanches, sluff, was seen on steep slopes on all aspects, the largest running a couple hundred feet on a north aspect.  

 

Photo#1: Very isolated pockets of cracking/small shooting cracks in wind loaded terrain.

Photo#2:  Natural cornice activity sometime during/after the storm.

Photo#3:  Ski kicked several large cornice blocks to test slopes below with no slab failure occuring.

Photo#4:  SE aspects at 12:30pm, 8800', still with winter snow conditions present.  No signs of wet snow instabilities in this area at the 8500-9600' elevation range.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: 

Clear skis in the morning with hazy conditions towards the east.  Wind were light and from the SW in the morning starting to shift around in the midday.  Very cold temps for March, low teens in the morning with slight warming into the afternoon into the upper teens.