Snowpit and observations from Rubicon Peak

Location Name: 
Rubicon Peak
Region: 
West Shore Area
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 12/24/2012 - 11:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 59' 26.34" N, 120° 8' 1.932" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Lots of evidence of new snow settlement in this area. Storm snow and wind slab instabilities that existed yesterday appeared to have gained significant strength at this location. Dec 2 facet layer remains reactive and is now buried to a depth where the ECT is becoming an ineffective test. Real concerns for difficult to trigger but catastrophic persistent deep slab avalanches.

Photo: Settlement cracks around trees such as this one were widespread on northerly aspects.

Video 1: ECTN results on wind slab and density changes. ECTX result on Dec 12 and Dec 2 facet layers.

Video 2: PST 25/112 end on Dec 2 facet layer.

NOTE* In video 2, I incorrectly say Dec 12 facet layer when I had tested and ment to say Dec 2 facet layer.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

20121224 Rubicon Peak ECTN.MOV

20121224 Rubicon Peak PST 25/112end on Dec 2 facets.MOV

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: 

Morning winds became calm by mid morning.