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.

Obs from Stanford Rock

Location Name: Stanford Rock Region: Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area Observation Date & Time: Tuesday, December 29, 2020 - 12:15
Location: 39.129328, -120.216780 See map: CalTopo	Is this an Avalanche Observation?: No

Observation made by: Educator at Tahoe Mountain School

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Observation

Description of Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions:

Perfect weather, great skiing, little signs of instablity and unstable snow column test results. Stay sharp out there everyone.

Snowpit location: Lower Stanford Rock, NW 330 degrees, 7400ft , HS130

Layers of concern: Near-crust facets @70cm (4F), Dec 11 Facets @ 35cm (F/4F)

Test results: CTVE (SC) @ 35cm x2 , CTM (SP) @ 70cm x2 , ECTN @ 70cm x2 , PST 80/100 (End) @ 70cm

Other notable obs: Widespread surface hoar on all elevations in open terrain on Stanford Rock. Also found buried surface hoar 5cm down as well as a graupel layer 25cm down. Ugh.

Surface hoar in open sheltered terrain (all elevations)

PST 80/100 (End) @ 70cm

Hand hardness + layers of concern

Weather Details

Elevation of Observation:

7000 - 8000 ft.

Blowing Snow:

None

Wind Speed:

Light

Sky Cover:

Clear

Precipitation:

None

Air temperature:

Below Freezing

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Obs from Stanford Rock

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Obs from Stanford Rock

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