Observations from Red Lake Peak

Location Name: 
Red Lake Peak
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 02/01/2010 - 15:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 42' 57.0456" N, 119° 58' 59.2644" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Very firm, supportable wind slab on NE aspects in upper start zones near the summit (edgeable, but no-fall firm). Became penetrable below upper start zones, but no propagation observed. I was only able to break-off very small, shallow slabs in very localized areas.

On E facing, cross loaded aspect (the skier's right of the main SE running gully from Red Lake Peak), conditions varied from very firm to breakable to penetrable slab, and again no propagation. Focused ski cutting into the main gully produced no results - yet the slab occasionally sounded hollow.

Pencil over pencil(-) on NE aspects near the summit, and pencil / 1 finger over 1 finger on cross loaded E aspects in the gully, with good bonding on both aspects (informal tests). However, the occasional hollow nature of the slab remained spooky.

On lower elevation SE slopes a distinct sun crust existed on top of a thin weak layer, but no slab to promote propagation.

Any other comments about the observation or links to outside pages that have more info on the observation: 

 

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
West
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: 

Consistent snow redistribution (creep) on cross loaded aspects, but no redistribution observed on top loaded aspects.