Crust/facet sandwich on Mt. Lola

Location Name: 
Mt. Lola
Region: 
Independence Lake Area
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 11/19/2014 - 11:20
Location Map: 
United States
39° 26' 0.7008" N, 120° 21' 49.734" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Snow cover exists on N aspects above 8,000' in this area. As seen in photo, snow cover of 10 to 30 cm decreases to 0 cm as aspect gains a more easterly component. Crust/facet/crust combo in this area is mostly unanchored in the upper half of the snowpack in N aspect areas up to 50 linear feet below the ridgeline. Striated faceted crystals are not developed to the point of depth hoar as seen in other areas, but are still loose grains. This could become a problematic weak layer under future loading conditions.

Photo: Mt. Lola Summit Bowl as viewed from the east ridge at ~8,700'. HS up to 30cm in shaded areas.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Strong
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour