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.

Powderhouse

Location Name: Powderhouse Region: Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) Observation Date & Time: Wednesday, February 23, 2022 - 11:00
Location: 38.787060, -119.965500 See map: CalTopo	Is this an Avalanche Observation?: No Conditions Alerts: Recent Loading›More Than a Foot of New Snow Terrain Alerts: Slopes Steeper than 30 degrees Trigger Points Terrain Traps Terrain Matches the Advisory

Observation made by: Educator at Lake Tahoe Community College - Wilderness Education

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Observation

Description of Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions:

We skinned up the east ridge of Powderhouse on 8-12 inches of light unconsolidated new snow. At around 8300 feet we dug snow pits and found a thin crust under the new snow with 6 inches or so of loose facets below the crust. The snow below the facets was increasingly consolidated with about 1 inch of facets at the ground.

Compression tests results were CTM Break and Sudden Plainer on the top of the curst. We did not get any propagation with an Extended Column Test (ETCX). We did get results with a Propagation Saw Test just below the crust layer (PST 60/100 End) and at the bottom of the old facet layer (PST 35/100 SF).

Skiing down the east ridge on new snow was great!

Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Videos:

20220223 Powderhouse

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph:

Snowpack Details

Total Snow Depth:

117cm

Persistent Weak Layers:

Buried

Terrain Details

Terrain: elevations:

Below Treeline

Terrain: aspects:

Weather Details

Elevation of Observation:

8000 - 9000 ft.

Wind Direction:

Southwest

Wind Speed:

Light

Sky Cover:

Overcast - Cloudy - 8/8 covered

Highest Precipitation Rate:

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

Precipitation:

Snow

Air temperature:

Below Freezing

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20220223 Powderhouse

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Powderhouse

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