Observations from Tamarack Peak

Location Name: 
Tamarack Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 10/31/2016 - 14:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 19' 2.6472" N, 119° 55' 10.2864" 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: 

New snow amounts from the Oct 30 storm event ranged from 6in at 8,700' to 10in at 9,800' in this area. The existing snowpack prior to the Oct 30 snowfall, composed primarily from the Oct 16 storm event, has undergone significant rain wetting and melt. Above 9,300', snowpack depth increases to 2 to 2.5 ft on N-NE-E aspects and is very supportable. In the areas traveled on N-NE-E aspects between 9,300' and the summit at 9,900', the lower half to 2/3rds of the snowpack was refrozen melt forms (ice). This is covered by the recent new snow which was observed today as well bonded to the refrozen snowpack below. Informal observations and snowpit data failed to show any signs of instability. Below 9,300', snow cover is very thin and difficult to negotiate using equipment for over snow travel due to exposed and/or barely hidden rocks.

Photo - Supportable snowcover on E aspect at 9,750'.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
50% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Southwest