Observations from Tamarack Peak

Location Name: 
Tamarack Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Tue, 02/04/2014 - 12:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 18' 50.0724" N, 119° 54' 22.554" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

20 to 30 cm (8 to 12 in) of soft snow existed above a 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in) rain crust on most northerly aspects below 9500 ft on Tamarack Peak today. Below the rain crust an unconsolidated layer of large snow grains (what used to be the Dec. 7th facets) still remained. Tests and observations indicated that it is difficult to get force through the thick rain crust.

Above 9500 ft the rain crust thinned, but there was also less old snow in the areas that I traveled. On many of the near and above treeline slopes in this area the recent soft snow sat on top of the ground with no old snow below it.

Photos 1 and 2: A small wind slab failure on a near treeline NE facing test slope that is very prone to wind loading. The slope measured 38 degrees in steepness. This small slab was only about 7 to 10 cm (3 to 4 in) and only traveled downhill for about 6 to 9 m (20 to 30 ft). A ski cut triggered this wind slab.

Photo 3: The snowpack at the top of the Hourglass. It consists of only the new snow sitting on the ground.

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
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Southwest