Deeper Snowpack on Tamarack Peak

Location Name: 
Tamarack Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 12/03/2012 - 07:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 19' 5.5416" N, 119° 55' 18.9768" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Snowpack depth is greatly increased after this last snow/rain event especially above 8000'.  At 9500' on the East Ridge of Tamarack Peak HS=190cm, there was a 2cm rain crust from the Sunday storm with 45cm of new snow on top.  Similiar conditions existed at 9700' on the shoulder of Tamarack Peak, HS =180-200cm, rain layer was barely detectable with 45-50cm of new snow on top.  Surface snow conditions were new unconsolidated snow that had some sort of wind effect depending on how exposed the terrain was.

Video:  ECTN at hasty pit on East Ridge of Tamarack Peak, 9500', North aspect, 32 degree slope, just East of Prolitariate Bowl.  HS=190cm at pit location.  Basal facets could be felt with probe but seemed more consolidated than pre storm.

Photo#1and #2:  2 separate natural avalanches off of the East Ridge of Tamarack Peak.  9400', North aspect, 35-40 degree slope, D2, R2.  Both of these thought to have occured during the high rain event early Sunday morning, debris mostly covered up by new snow.

Photo #3:  Large cornices continuing to build out today with the moderate SW winds and were breaking off easy with the weight of a skier.

Snowpack photos: 
Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

MtRose2012 12 3 009

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
50% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: