Shallow, weak snowpack in Wild Card

Location Name: 
Wild Card
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 12/19/2013 - 14:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 18' 44.2044" N, 119° 53' 15.9684" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Avalanche class in Wild Card observed slightly deeper snowpack and slab conditions on previously windloaded NW aspects than on NE aspects near treeline. Few whoomphs in rocky terrain with shallow snowpack. Shooting cracks limited to 1 meter, with one collapse estimated to travel 15 meters.

Several CTs on NW, N and NE aspects ~9400ft showing SC results on basal facets at the ground, with Easy Moderate and Hard results. 1 RB4 WB on basal facets on 27 degree slope N aspect 9400ft, 1 RB5 WB on basal facets on 30 degree slope N aspect, 1 RB6 WB on basal facets on 20 degree slope NW aspect with rocks interrupting basal layer.

Where crust buried on Dec 7th still exists, primary concern was facets just below crust. Where crust has faceted away, primary concern was basal facets/ground interface.

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
75% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
North
Accumulation rate: 
None
More detailed information about the weather: 

Significantly lower wind speeds than forecast. Although 5cm of new snow was available for transport, no transport was observed, and no new wind slabs were observed.