Snowpack obs between Elephant's Back and Round Top

Submitted by andy on Mon, 11/23/2009 - 9:31am
Location Name: 
Elephant's Back
Region: 
Carson Pass Area

Location

United States
38° 40' 49.08" N, 119° 58' 59.52" W
See map: Google Maps
Position: 
Forecaster
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 11/22/2009 - 10:23am
Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Snowpit Observations
Snowpack photos: 
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

The Nov. 13th facet layer only seems to exist in certain places. Some areas like elephant's back it exists on parts of the slope but not others. It seems to be more prevalent on the higher more north facing aspects that have some protection from the wind. We found it on the north facing slopes on the east ridge of Round top as well. Where it exists whumpfing and collapsing occur. Hand pits and layer bonding test still indicate that this layer remains weak.  

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Wind Speed: 
Strong
Wind Direction: 
West
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Cloud Cover: 
0.75
Precipitation: 
Snow
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour