The last avalanche forecast for the 2023-2024 season will post on April 21st. Thank you to all who contributed to the avalanche center this season through observations, volunteer time, and/or financial contributions.

Snowpit above Carpenter Valley

Location Name: Bowl above Carpenter Valley Region: Independence Lake Area Observation Date & Time: Monday, December 28, 2020 - 15:00
Location: 39.376944, -120.247500 See map: CalTopo	Is this an Avalanche Observation?: No Conditions Alerts: Persistent Problem Terrain Alerts: Slopes Steeper than 30 degrees Terrain Matches the Advisory

Observation made by: Public

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Observation

Description of Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions:

Dug small snowpit and performed compression test. Sudden collapse of buried weak layer on 10th wrist tap (CT10 SC). Slab slid on crust within faceted layer when pushed with shovel.

Relatively soft (F-4F) but cohesive slab from recent storms at 20-60cm sitting on top of faceted layer at 0-20 cm. Hard crust (1F) observed at 15 cm within faceted layer.

Snowpack Details

Total Snow Depth:

60cm

Persistent Weak Layers:

Buried

Terrain Details

Terrain: elevations:

Below Treeline

Terrain: aspects:

Weather Details

Elevation of Observation:

6000-7000 ft.

Blowing Snow:

None

Wind Speed:

Calm

Sky Cover:

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

Highest Precipitation Rate:

Very Light Snowfall (S-1 = up to .5cm /~.25 in per hour)

Precipitation:

None

Air temperature:

Below Freezing

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Snowpit above Carpenter Valley

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Snowpit above Carpenter Valley

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