Wind Slab on Red Lake Peak

Location Name: 
Red Lake Peak Ridge
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 12/12/2014 - 15:30
Location Map: 
United States
38° 43' 12.8388" N, 119° 58' 28.8984" 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
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Natural wind slab ran approximately 500 feet and was approximately 300 feet wide. While the crown was largely filled in by blowing snow, debris at toe of slide had minimal snow covering it, indicating slide occured toward end of storm. Hand shear tests failed repeatedly on isolation just above crown. Wind slab was failing on large fist hard stellars sitting below 25 cms of one finger to four finger wind slab. 

General evidence of windslab was obvious skinning up as cracking was widespread on steeper micro terrain and above switbacks. Poor visibility prevented noticing if any other slides had occurred in area. 

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
50% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Cooling
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
None