Observations from Andesite Ridge

Location Name: 
Andesite Peak
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 03/06/2016 - 14:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 21' 1.134" N, 120° 21' 49.7088" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Guide at Tahoe Mountain School
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

There was 20" of new snow at the trail head.  We avoided the exposed ridges and stayed in the below and near tree line terrain.  Throughout our tour the new snow was well bonded to the old snow surface.  In the lower elevations about 6" above the old snow surface we did find a 3" layer of denser snow within the new snow but did not find it in the upper elevations.  In the upper elevations of our tour the new snow was more uniform with 8" to 10" of 4F on top of the old snow surface and wind affected Fist for the upper 12".  While skinning up we did hand pits, compression tests and shovel tilt tests and found no weak layers.  We observed blowing snow but saw no avalanche activity or signs of instability.

'

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: 
Southeast
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: