Sun Crusts and Soft Snow in the Mt. Rose Backcountry

Location Name: 
Far East Ridge of Tamarack Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 10/26/2012 - 08:45
Location Map: 
United States
39° 18' 46.8612" N, 119° 54' 25.3224" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

35-60 cm (1-2 ft) of new snow exists on the ground in this area. The snowpack consists of lighter snow on top of more dense snow and many of the snow grains show signs of rounding and gaining strength for now. Many rocks, stumps, trees, and areas of bare ground still exist; however, many areas where the snowpack provides a supportable pack to recreate on do exist. Careful route finding and observations can one help find these areas of more coverage.

The northerly and easterly aspects hold the most snow while the other aspects still only have patchy coverage. The snow on the northerly aspects still remains soft and unconsolidated. On the less sheltered more sun-exposed slopes and especially on te easterly aspects a breakable sun crust has formed.

Except for the occaisional roller ball on the most sun expsosed slopes, snowpit tests, snowpit data, ski cuts on test slopes, and other observations all pointed to a mostly stable snowpack in this area today.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: