Observations from Elephant's Back

Location Name: 
Elephant's Back
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 01/07/2015 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 40' 38.6976" N, 119° 59' 0.5712" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Rapid warming
Obvious avalanche path
Terrain Trap
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Video: On W aspect sheltered from previous E winds, where surface snow remained low density and was observed to be faceted within top 20 to 50cm, and full depth near rocks.

Above treeline, the surface snow on non-solar aspects in this area was dense due to previous wind scouring, and resisting faceting - though near surface facets were still observed, they were not as weak as shown in video. 

On a NW aspect near treeline, one distinct collapse was felt to propagate appx 3 to 5m radius. Summer ground cover in this area is known to be bushy.

Solar aspects had 10cm of wet surface snow by noon, over a supportable crust. Near rocks and bushes, wet snow was observed full depth and was just barely supportable to skis. Pinwheels and small loose wet failures were easy to purposefully initiate, especially below 8,500ft.

Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

2015.01.07 Carson Pass

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Accumulation rate: 
None