Observations and snowpit from Elephant's Back/Frog Lake Cliffs

Location Name: 
Elephant's Back/Frog Lake Cliffs
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 11/21/2011 - 12:15
Location Map: 
United States
38° 40' 51.9168" N, 119° 59' 0.2616" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Overall a thin snowpack insufficient to cover rocks below ski penetration depth existed in most of this area. Pockets of a deeper snowpack up to 2 to 2.5 feet deep existed in isolated areas on N and NE aspects. These pockets of deepest snowpack also held the greatest amount of instability in the form of collapsing, shooting cracks, and propagation results in Extended Column Tests.

Wind transport was readily visible along the peaks and higher ridges with new but shallow wind slabs forming in lee areas.

Photo: Taken below Frog Lake, a shooting crack off the ski tip on a shaded NE aspect in above treeline terrain at 9,000'.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
West
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: