Small Windslabs on Castle Peak

Location Name: 
Castle Peak
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 03/23/2012 - 08:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 21' 46.4904" N, 120° 20' 42.1476" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

2-4'' of new snow made for improved travel coniditions.  This snow was high density and made up of mostly graupel.  Below 8200' under this new snow was still punchy while above was a firm supportable crust on all solar aspects.  Some minor cracking occuring in wind loaded locations on ridgeline.   

Photo#1:  Small natural windslab avalanche observed at 8am.  40' wide by 75' long, 4-6'' deep- D1.  Also in photo, evidence of old cornice failures and old crown line from slab avalanche during the last storm cycle.  Slightly covered debris could be seen down in the gully, avalanche ran full path.  

Photo#2:  Large wet loose slide avalanches from the Tuesday-Thursday warm up.

Video:  Fair amount of windloading on exposed ridges.

Snowpack photos: 
Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

CastlePeak2012-3-23 006.avi

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: