Observations from Flagpole

Location Name: 
Flagpole
Region: 
Echo Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 12/30/2010 - 08:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 50' 48.48" N, 120° 3' 26.28" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Mitt pits below 7500ft showed "reverse oreo" hand hardness in top 20cm of snowpack, with poor shear quality. Wind effect observed above 7500ft, with consistent 4f and even 1f hand hardness in both wind slab and DFbk underneath - again poor shear qualities. Some small, shallow slab fractures when cutting above skin track, but generally very little and very localized collapse, no shooting cracks.

Pit: Impressive consistent hand hardness, with poor shear qualities.

Pic: Within 1 hour of our first lap, skin track already beginning to fill from steady light E winds, and moderate N gusts. Observed all along 2nd lap, from 6800ft to 8200ft.

Nearby faces are steep, open and wind loaded. These often natural, but no signs of natural activity were observed. We avoided further observations on these terrain features.

Settlement cracks seen around tree wells - surprising given the cold temps.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Northeast
Accumulation rate: 
None
More detailed information about the weather: 

Blowing snow from E winds, N gusts observed both locally and on nearby peaks.