Small Cracking and NCF on Rubicon

Location Name: 
Rubicon Peak
Region: 
West Shore Area
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 03/31/2014 - 11:30
Location Map: 
United States
38° 59' 30.2532" N, 120° 8' 1.122" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

The recent snow continues to consolidate and no signs of instability were noted in non wind affected areas above the old crusts. Between 8000 ft and 9000 ft. a crust facet "sandwich" existed at the base of the recent snow. Most snowpit tests indicated that fractures can travel through the facets (see snowpit and videos). Ski cuts on small wind loaded test slopes near the summit of Rubicon did produce some small shooting cracks (see photos). On the N-NE aspects the recent snow remained cold, soft, and light. On E aspects a breakable sun crust existed above heavier snow.

Photo 1: Skier triggered shooting crack on a small wind loaded test slope near the summit of Rubicon that was 6-8 inches deep.

Photo 2: Skier triggered shooting crack and small wind slab failure on a small wind loaded test slope near the summit of Rubicon that was previously undercut.

Video 1: PST 22/100 END on the facets below the old crust.

Video 2: ECTP 26 on the facets below the old crust.

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

VID 20140331 115242

VID 20140331 115915

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Cooling
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: