Cold snow on The Nipple

Location Name: 
The Nipple
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sat, 02/25/2017 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 38' 26.1852" N, 119° 56' 14.9532" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Surface snow remained cold around The Nipple and Blue Lakes, with some wind stripped conditions along ridge tops and in open areas, and increased density from previous wind transport with obvious "tiger striping" marking wind deposited areas. Minimal additional wind transport observed today. Snow on sunny aspects above Upper Blue Lake beginning to warm but still provided good riding conditions. Previous rain layer down 50-80cm now firm and supportable.

Pic 1: Yesterday's human triggered D1 on E aspect at 8200ft. Crown has been filled-in by subsequent wind transport compared to what we observed yesterday. Small column tests immediately adjacent to this area still showed a weakness 20cm down, but an ECT did not propagate.

Pic 2: A similar elevation and aspect to previous photo. Multiple cuts did not produce any signs of instability. Last cut was the top cut.

Pic 3: At Lost Lakes near The Nipple, jumping onto a previously undercut test slope did show evidence of lingering wind slab instability.  We performed many other slope cuts in this area without results.

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: 
None