Observations from Ralston

Location Name: 
Ralston East
Region: 
Echo Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 12/27/2010 - 20:31
Location Map: 
United States
38° 49' 48.2268" N, 120° 5' 30.7788" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Rapid warming
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Note pics are from Ralston East, coordinates entered on map. Pit is from 15 degree aspect at Cup Lake, 8775ft.

pic 1: wind deposition patterns farther down slope than typical

pic 2: ridge and ~30 to 50ft below ridge was a firm combo of rimed sastrugi and rimed crust. Cornices not very developed - again, the majority of deposition was farther downslope.

One natural slab R1 D1 ~24hrs old observed on E face of Ralston proper, crown line lower than typical start zone.

 

 

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Accumulation rate: 
None
More detailed information about the weather: