Snowpack Observations from Rubicon Peak

Location Name: 
Rubicon Peak
Region: 
West Shore Area
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 12/09/2013 - 14:15
Location Map: 
United States
38° 59' 30.48" N, 120° 8' 5.7012" 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: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

On untracked N-NE facing slopes between 7500' and 8600', some collapsing and whumfing occurred. Less of these collapses occurred today and those that did occur were  smaller than those seen on previous days. They also were not as loud nor did they travel as far. The recent snow showed some soft slab characteristics in this area. It seems to be consolidating very slowly. Snowpit data also showed that some parts of the recent snow are also starting to weaken (ie change into more facets). Below the recent snow lies a mix of weak sugary snow and thin crusts. The collpasing and whumpfing that did occur resulted from these lower layers of facets (Dec. 7th facets) breaking under the additional weight of a person. 

Near treeline some wind affected and east wind scoured snow existed. On the exposed slopes near the summit of Rubicon plenty of large rocks and other obstacles still protrude through the snow surface.

Overall the snowpack in this area remains too shallow and weak to keep people above all of the rocks, stumps, logs and other obstacles.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Cooling
Wind Direction: 
Northeast
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: 

Light NE winds near the summit of Rubicon. At the lower elevations the winds were calm. I did not notice any blowing snow on the peaks in the desolation wilderness.