Testpit and observations from Silver Peak

Location Name: 
Silver Peak
Region: 
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area
Date and time of observation: 
Tue, 11/22/2011 - 10:55
Location Map: 
United States
39° 13' 30.216" N, 120° 14' 27.096" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Observations in this area matched well with previous thinking that the Nov 18 facet layer is stable below 8,000'. Several additional hand pits on N-NE aspects between 7,600' and 8,000' revealed a similar snowpack structure higher on the peak to that in the graphed test pit. Snow depth increased to 2.5 feet just below treeline. Above treeline areas were heavily wind affected by scouring on windward slopes and wind loading in lee areas. Minor cracking of wind slabs up to 6 inches deep in avalanche start zones on N-NE-E aspects. Otherwise, no evidence of instability in this area.

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