Consistent ECT's and PST's failures on Mt. Rose

Location Name: 
East Ridge Tamarack Peak
Region: 
Mount Rose Area
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 03/09/2012 - 11:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 18' 50.148" N, 119° 54' 56.268" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Rapid warming
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Consistent failures on the faceted layer with all the tests performed showing propagation likely if the weak layer can be initiated.  The 2/27-3/1 storm snow is 1 dense layer, the newer storm snow 3/5-3/6 was mostly scoured away in any exposed areas from the N-NE winds.  The 2 crust combo is now just 1 old melt freeze crust at the old snow/pre 2/27-3/1 storm cycle with the older January rain crust faceted away.  These facets are very loose and reactive to stability tests.  This persistent weak layer of facets and the old M/F crust exists on NE-NW aspects at most elevations.

-East Ridge Tamarack Peak, 9334', 38 degrees North, 30 degree slope angle.  HS=102cm, PenBoot=65cm. 

ECTP-18 SC.

Video #1: ECTP-20 SC

Video #2:  PST 40/100 END down 45cms on faceted grains below old M/F crust.

RB-5 Most of Block,  sudden collapse failing down 45cm on facets below old M/F crust

 

-East Ridge Tamarack Peak 9478', 15 degrees North, 30 degree slope angle.  HS=95cm, PenBoot=25.

Video #3:  ECTP-16 SC on facets below M/F crust

PST 45/100 END down 40cms on faceted grains below old M/F crust

 

Pockets of winter snow still around but warming throughout the day made for mostly sticky skiing conditions.  Sun and melt freeze crusts developing on most aspects and elevations

Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

Mt.Rose2012-3-9 001.avi

Mt.Rose2012-3-9 002.avi

Mt.Rose2012-3-9 003.avi

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: