Snowpack Observations from Jake's Peak

Above 7800 ft a 1.5-2.25 m (5-7 ft) deep snowpack existed. The bottom third of this snowpack was composed of the snow that fell in Nov, Dec, and Jan. The upper 2/3rds fell in the last several days. In this area some small skier triggered cracks did occur if the slope was first undercut. No other cracking, collapsing, or whumphing occurred. The area near the top of Jakes that typically holds some wind slabs had not filled all the way in yet and only small pockets of wind loading existed in those areas. Between 7800 and 9160 ski cuts on small, steep, wind-loaded, and non-wind-loaded test slopes did not produce any unstable results. Snowpit data also indicated that the snow is quickly consolidating and test results did not indicate instability. Several heavier layers did still exist on top of lighter layers of snow and "punchy" snow conditions existed.

On the E-SE-S aspects, sunshine had already started to melt the snow at all elevations and a thin surface melt freeze layer had started to form. Some small roller balls and pinwheels also occurred on these aspects by noon.

Below 7800 ft. on all aspects including the northerly one, the snow was heavy and wet. Skiers triggered pinwheels and roller ball with small ski cuts. Runnels indicating a wet snowpack that is draining had also formed on slopes at these lower elevations.

Photo 1: Runnels on a N aspect at 7300 ft.

Video: Overview of the snowpack at 8820 ft. on a N aspect.