High Winds and Mild Temps on Becker Peak

Location Name: 
Becker Peak
Region: 
Echo Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sat, 03/26/2011 - 14:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 49' 54.84" N, 120° 3' 37.8" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Air temps measured several times just below freezing, combined with moderate winds and strong gusts, was creating a dense though still thin (5 to 20cm) wind slab. Ski pen varied, but was generally less than 30cm - contrasted with waist deep boot pen the few times I took off my skis.

Pic: Cornices were quite large and sensitive. This cornice broke ~15 feet from edge (still a direct - not remote - trigger). My original plan was to drop cornices to test slopes adjacent to my pit between Becker and Talking, but after this cornice just E of Becker broke, I wasn't comfortable approaching those above more consequential terrain.

Cracking was limited to undercut slopes. Settlement cones at trees were widespread.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: