Observations from Ralston Ridge

Location Name: 
Ralston East
Region: 
Echo Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 03/28/2011 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 49' 48.4068" N, 120° 5' 30.1164" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
Rapid warming
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Pit: Dug below and adjacent to large intact cornice. Generally a uniform, dense snowpack. At the same time, another group dug a rutschblock on a nearby slope of similar aspect and elevation, with no results. Firm wind buff conditions on N aspects above treeline.

Pic: Large cornices in the area, some of which fell today. 75 degree aspect above Cup Lake. The crown did not propagate onto more NE aspect, but did propagate a short distance onto more SE aspect (looker's right).

The firm surface due to recent winds was preventing solar aspects above treeline from getting too wet, even into the early afternoon. Below treeline, solar aspects were wet and unconsolidated with ankle high ski pen, but no distinct pooling or sliding surface.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Accumulation rate: 
None
More detailed information about the weather: