Snowpit and observations from Rubicon Peak

Location Name: 
Rubicon Peak
Region: 
West Shore Area
Date and time of observation: 
Tue, 01/29/2013 - 12:15
Location Map: 
United States
38° 59' 22.704" N, 120° 8' 7.044" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

The vast majority of areas on the N side of the peak had less than 1 inch of new snow on top of supportable surface rain crust. Near the NW ridge, I was able to find a 20' x 30' area of 8" to 9" wind slab on top of the rain crust(s) near treeline on a N aspect. In this area, a thin layer (<0.5cm) of very early stage facets existed between the two crusts. This layer failed repeatedly and produced propagation in ECTs. Jumping up and down on skis in this same area produced no other signs of instability. Hand pits in other areas on the N side of the peak showed similar crust/facet/crust snowpack structure, but without the overlying slab.

Wind scouring from NE winds was evident near and above treeline, but less than an inch of snow had been wind loaded onto SW and W aspects along the top of the NW ridge.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

20130129 Rubicon Peak ECTP-6.MOV

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
75% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Northeast
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: