Observations from the Sierra Crest via Deep Creek

Toured up through Deep Creek to the Sierra Crest and Tinkers Knob today.  Generally about 1' of settled storm snow on most aspects with solar aspects having additional settlement.  Very little signs of instability in the snowpack today and little evidence of previous instabilities throughout the recent storm cycle at this location.  Hand pits showed some weaknesses within the storm snow in heavily wind loaded areas and at the new snow/old snow interface where there was 1' of storm snow.  The old snow surface was a melt freeze crust, thickness and strength depending on aspect and elevation, which had some weaker faceted snow grains above and below this crust on mostly NE-N aspects. 

Many ski cuts and cornice kicks showed no signs of slab formation in the snowpack on multiple aspects and elevations.  There was some evidence of wind scouring and sastruggi at the highest elevations on Tinkers Knob from the winds moving around to the E/NE.  With little direct sun throughout the day, there was still plenty of solar input on the snow surface with skier triggered roller ball activity and heavy snow on E-SE aspects by mid day.  Below 6500' snow conditions were heavy and sticky by the mid afternoon. 

Photo#1:  Small loose dry avalanches(point releases) in steeper terrain.  8600', East aspects, 35-40 degree slopes.

Photo#2:  Evidence of 1 small natural wind slab avalanche in this area mostly covered up by additional storm snow.  Probably occuring early Wednesday with very minor debris.  On the Sierra Crest, 8600', East aspect, 40 degree slope.

Photo#3:  Loose dry avalanche(sluffing) from a ski cut off Deep Creek Peak.  8400', NE aspect, 40 degree slope, running full path.

Video:  ECTN.  8650', East aspect-74 degrees, 30 degree slope in very wind loaded location.   Up to 2-2.5'  of storm snow above the old snow melt freeze crust.