Trimmer Peak Observations

Location Name: 
Trimmer Peak
Region: 
Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel)
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 12/30/2012 - 11:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 52' 41.178" N, 119° 55' 29.3772" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Today we encountered stable conditions on Trimmer Peak.  We skied from the saddle below Trimmer Peak Summit, through the trees.  We did not ski the avalanche path, although we did see tracks in it.

We did not encounter any instablies on the tour.  The snow surface from 7,500 ft up to 9,000 ft was light, unconsolidated powder with little to no wind effect.  There did not appear to be any windslabs or wind transport near the ridgeline (or below treeline).  No shooting cracks, whoomping or sluffing.

We dug a hasty pit near ridgeline on a N aspect around 9,000 ft.  35 degree slope.  The 12/15 facet layer was present, down around 5 feet in the snowpack.  Above the 12/15 facet layer, the snowpack was right side up, going from well-consolidated 1 finger, to 4 finger to fist in the upper foot.  Our findings correspond to the general trend in the forecast area.

We did not see any avalanche activity.

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
50% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Cooling
Wind Direction: 
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

Very cold temps in the morning that remained well below freezing throughout the day.  Very minor flurries throughout the day, off and on, with little to no wind.  Temperatures were falling in the afternoon, in particular with cloud cover developing.