Inconclusive Snowpack Test Results on Tamarack Peak

We targeted lower traveled areas in the Tamarack Peak area to look for the buried surface hoar layer that has been responsible for many persistent slab avalanches along the Sierra Crest.  No persistent slab avalanches have been reported from the Mt. Rose area up to this point.  Around 6'' of settled storm snow exists in below treeline areas with up to 1' of snow in more wind loaded terrain.  We were able to find the buried surface hoar beneath the recent storm snow in some areas, but not in others.  Where we did find the buried surface hoar, it was smaller in size and not as uniform of a layer than seen along the Sierra Crest.  The amount of graupel on the bottom and within the storm snow was also much less than seen elsewhere.  Also the crust on the old snow/new snow interface is not as firm and does not seem to provide as an efficient bed surface.

We dug in 3 different areas, some below treeline and some near treeline on northerly terrain.  We had 1 area that showed an ECTP on buried surface hoar, but was not repeatable.  The other 2 areas produced ECTN's.  All the ingredients to produce persistent slab avalanches do not seem to be present at this location.  With that said, high variability exists with buried surface hoar.