Elephants Back Observations

Location Name: 
Elephants Back
Region: 
Carson Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Tue, 12/13/2016 - 10:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 40' 42.5676" N, 119° 58' 53.2308" 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: 

Performed several tests above the crown of the 12/10/16 Elephants Back avalanche. Cold wintery surface snow is present in this spot and height of snow is 102 cms. Neither Compression tests nor Extended Column Tests produced results on the facets at the ground. After about 5 cms of 4 Finger hard snow at the surface the following 75cms consisted of dense 1 Finger hard slab. Finally at the base of the snowpack about 20cms of 4 Finger facets rested above the ground. PSTs produced 25/100 END results. The slab of snow above this weak layer was impressively cohesive.

This location is extremely wind loaded and was very stormy this morning.

Full video of PST was compromised but selected still shows point at which failure propogated in front of the saw and the block slid down slope. 

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
75% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Strong
Precipitation: 
Snow
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour