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Wind Slabs on Waterhouse Peak

Location Name: Waterhouse Peak Region: Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) Observation Date & Time: Sunday, February 24, 2019 - 11:45
Location: 38.776051, -119.963164 See map: CalTopo	Is this an Avalanche Observation?: No Conditions Alerts: Other Signs of Instability (cracking, whumpfing, collapsing) Other Signs of Instability (cracking, whumpfing, collapsing)›Shooting Cracks Recent Loading Recent Loading›Blowing Snow Terrain Alerts: Terrain Matches the Advisory

Observation made by: Public

Tabs

Observation

Description of Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions:

Toured up to Waterhouse peak today, expecting to see newly formed windslabs on in near and above treeline terrain. Upon reaching the summit ridgeline, I noticed moderate blowing snow and wind loading on the N-NE aspect of the ridgeline up to 50 feet below the ridgeline. Upon much vigorous stomping, one shooting crack was observed, propogating approximately 0.75m from the tip of my ski. Many ski stomps revealed cracking of the windslab, but no propogating cracks. Wind slabs appeared to be 4-6 cm in thickness.

Shooting crack approx 0.75m in length. Triggered in near treeline terrain after several hard jumps in other spots.

Wind scouring on S to SE aspects.

Weather Details

Elevation of Observation:

Above 9000 ft.

Blowing Snow:

Moderate

Wind Direction:

Southwest

Wind Speed:

Moderate

Sky Cover:

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

Precipitation:

None

Air temperature:

Below Freezing

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