Facets on Red Lake Peak

Location Name: 
Red Lake Peak
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 12/26/2013 - 14:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 43' 12.7776" N, 119° 58' 28.5816" W
See map: Google Maps
US



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

Similar to other locations around the forecast area, the snowpack on Red Lake Peak is comprised of well consolidated slab-like snow resting above older, weak sugary snow (the Dec 7th facets). I did not trigger any collapses or cracking on the NW-N-NE aspects where the facets existed, but all of the snowpit tests I performed indicated that fracture can still occur and that they can travel through the facet layer. The sheltered areas above 7800 ft seemed to have the most well developed facets. In the above treeline terrain, wind scouring has exposed numerous rocks and areas of bare ground. In lower elevation areas, some surface hoar has formed on open slopes.

W-SW-S-SE aspects in this area barely have any snow on them.

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

ECTP on Red Lake Peak

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Cooling
Accumulation rate: 
None