Instability on Tamarack Peak

Location Name: 
Tamarack Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 11/20/2011 - 12:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 19' 7.7808" N, 119° 55' 19.3332" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

New snow over facets lead to widespread skier triggered shooting cracks and whumpfing on N-NE aspects traveled between 8,700' and 9,900' in this area. More limited, but still present cracking and whumpfing on E aspects. Faceted snow is very weak, softer and less cohesive than the new snow from this morning. More evidence of instability expected as overlying slab of new snow becomes increasingly cohesive over the next few days.

Photo 1: Facets at the base of the snowpack

Photo 2: Shooting cracks in below treeline terrain on a NE aspect

Video:  Extended column test showing that fractures can occur within the Nov. 18th facet layer. When Brandon states that this layer formed in "early December" he meant to say early November.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

ECT failure on weak facets in the Mt. Rose area

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: