Observations from Carson Pass

Location Name: 
Frog Lake Ridge
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Tue, 01/19/2010 - 10:30
Location Map: 
United States
38° 41' 27.6108" N, 119° 59' 15.4032" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Photos 1 and 2: Test slopes failed and fractured only where there was no compressive support. We weren't confident that the same would hold true on larger terrain features.

 

Photo 3: This test slope had good compressive support and though the top 2 inch slab moved, the deeper slab evidenced by the crack did not move.

 

Deeper failure layer appeared to be the same as yesterday - just above the old snow surface, in a layer partly containing visible large plates.

 

On our descent, a very small slab released via remote trigger - about 50ft away from ski tracks. Slab released on steep terrain just below a small cornice.

 

All of these observations were made on N facing, wind loaded terrain. Just 300ft lower, on terrain features more sheltered from wind, only one very steep test slope produced minimal results.

 

Shooting cracks only (no whumphing or collapse), and only on wind loaded test slopes.

 

 

 

 

Snowpack photos: 
Any other comments about the observation or links to outside pages that have more info on the observation: 

 

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
West
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

An increase in wind and precip rates were observed around noon, but upon leaving Carson Pass area, precip ceased and sky cover became broken towards SLT.