Observations from Powderhouse Peak

Location Name: 
Powderhouse
Region: 
Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel)
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 02/22/2017 - 10:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 46' 59.1492" N, 119° 58' 39.3924" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Terrain Trap
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Impressive soft cold snow below treeline on north facing terrain. No evidence of storm slab instabilities observed. 

At the near and above treeline and especially on the ridge plenty evidence of wind affected snow. Upon leaving the trees at the edge of the ridge, the snow quickly transitioned from soft uncohesive (fist hard) to much harder (4F-1F) snow with a wind altered appearance. Obvious wind loaded test slopes produced wide propogation. 

Photo 1: Settlement cones and associated cracking were frequently observed below treeline. 

Photo 2: Near treeline the surface snow was clearly wind affected. 

Photo 3: Above treeline on an exposed ridge, large cornices and wind altered snow was common.

Photo 4: These wind loaded steep slopes were highly reactive to a skiers weight.

Photo 5: In the trees on the edge of a ridge a small slope released a wind slab. 

Photo 6: This just below treeline (but near an open ridge) slope produced a wind slab that ran approximately 50 feet. 

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: