Large Cornices on the Echo Ridge

Location Name: 
Becker Peak
Region: 
Echo Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 03/01/2017 - 14:30
Location Map: 
United States
38° 49' 53.3424" N, 120° 3' 23.7528" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Large cornices existed above wind-loaded N-NE-E aspects along the Becker-Talking Ridge. Ski kicks well away from the edge of cornices above small wind-loaded test slopes caused car-sized pieces of cornice to fail. These large cornice pieces did not trigger any signs of cracking or wind slab instability in the slopes that they fell on.  No wind slabs or evidence of wind-loading existed on the W-SW-S aspects in this area today. N-NE aspects held soft unconsolidated snow resting on top of a right side up snowpack at all elevations. Breakable crusts or warm wet sticky snow existed on sun-exposed SE-S-SW aspects and some E aspects. Some small roller balls did occur near rocks and cliff bands on sun-exposed S aspects. 

Photo 1: Large intentionally skier-triggered cornice collapse. The impact and weight of the cornice did not produce cracking in the wind-loaded test slope. Ski poles are in the photo for scale.

Photo 2: Runnels indicating warming in the snowpack on a S aspect.

Photo 3: Small roller balls on a S aspect above Echo Lake near a cliff band.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: 

East winds did not materialize in this location. Winds remained calm even on the ridgeline.