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Widespread wind effect on Castle Peak

Location Name: Castle Peak Region: Donner Summit Area Observation Date & Time: Tuesday, December 25, 2018 - 15:00
Location: 39.366106, -120.356977 See map: CalTopo	Is this an Avalanche Observation?: No Conditions Alerts: Recent Loading Recent Loading›Blowing Snow

Observation made by: Public

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Observation

Description of Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions:

Two quick hands pits in the NW trees in Castle peak this afternoon failed fairly easily. ECTP 12 and 18. Wind effect was very pervasive with recently formed cornices on several different aspects along the ascent. We kicked at several small cornices along ridgelines which broke easily, but did not cause any cracking or wind slab failure on leeward test slopes below. From Castle Peak, we observed significant east to west blowing snow on Andesite Peak and the Castle-Andesite ridge. Wind was gusty.

ECTP 12 on the summit pitch ascending Castle Peak

The slab above the pit cracked quite easily.

Another quick pit. ECTP 18 farther up in the NW trees of castle peak. 200 vertical feet below the highest trees on that slope skiers right side.

Weather Details

Elevation of Observation:

7000 - 8000 ft.

8000 - 9000 ft.

Blowing Snow:

Intense

Wind Direction:

East

Wind Speed:

Strong

Sky Cover:

Broken - Mostly Cloudy - more than 4/8 and less than 8/8

Precipitation:

None

Air temperature:

Below Freezing

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Widespread wind effect on Castle Peak

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Widespread wind effect on Castle Peak

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