Observations from Freel

Location Name: 
Freel Peak
Region: 
Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel)
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 02/05/2014 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 51' 27.6912" N, 119° 54' 1.6092" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Pic 1: Current 5mm SH forms generally laying down under increasing SW winds, but provided a good indication of where previous SH may have been recently buried. Mitt pits and hand shears were innefective at locating the recently buried SH, but shovel tilts made the layer more visible from 2cm to 7cm from the surface. Several shovel tilts from 7,600ft to the highest observed current SH at 9,300ft failed to produce planar results, with Q3 shear quality. All buried SH observed today had already collapsed.

Pic 2: E/NE aspect at 9,300ft, Knife hard rounded polycrystals (previously basal facets) wetted and refrozen from recent rain event.

Pic 3: Basal facets remain dry, angular, and weak (Fist hard) on E/NE aspect at 9500ft. 3mm grid.

Pic 4: Recent R3D2 natural avalanche (cornice fall) on NE aspect of Freel with start zone at appx 10,400ft. Slope was previously windloaded on basal facets. Shallow (10-30cm) but wide (300m) crown produced up to 1m debris. Heavenly ski patrol reports that this occured sometime between sweep on 02/03 and opening on 02/04, and that rapid warming was observed late on 02/03. Note skier mid-frame for scale. Crown and debris extends beyond frame looker's right.

On cold, mid elevation slopes, the snow just above the rain crust was slightly angular, but hand shears and compression tests failed to produce results. No signs of current instability were observed today. SH forms were observed on cold slopes from 7,600ft to 9,300ft, and NSF on cold slopes from 9,000ft to 10,800ft.

 

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

Snowpack on main NE bowl of Freel remains shallow and rocky

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
None