Quick Pit on Silver Peak

Location Name: 
East Side of the North Bowl of Silver Peak
Region: 
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 12/30/2016 - 11:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 13' 33.2292" N, 120° 14' 19.3524" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Observation made by: Public
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Dug a quick pit in the road cut traversing into the North Bowl/Trees on Silver Peak at approximately 7,400 feet. North aspect 38 degree slope.

The two ECTs we did were messy because we didn't have a saw with us. Both broke across the column in the mid teens on the near-crust facets above the December 15 rain crust. Clean shears. The slab was largely cohesive. While isolating the second column, we observed shooting cracks extend about 8-10 feet out from the pit.

We then tried to stick to slope angles at 30 degrees or under. Ski conditions were excellent on northerly aspects in this area.

No other evidence of instability was observed. Coverage below about 7,200 feet was poor, especially on sunny aspects. We had to skin the road the entire way because the usual switchback cutoffs had iffy coverage.

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Wind Direction: 
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: