Observations from Tallac

Location Name: 
Mt Tallac
Region: 
Desolation Wilderness Area (including Emerald Bay)
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 11/28/2010 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 54' 51.0984" N, 120° 5' 59.9784" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Pic 1: mostly calm winds with the occasional NE crossloading

Pic 2: great views of Desolation, with the only natural activity (loose snow) seen here on SE slope beneath rocks.

Video: ECTP 21 Q2 @ 140cm (old/new interface) HS:180. Note the column was still "moderate" to pull off bed surface after fracture. 70% planar surface, but few clumps remaining for Q2. Old snow was 4F, new snow F. 1.5mm graupel and 2mm stellars observed on bed surface.

2nd ECTP 21 Q3 @ 140cm at same location. Couldn't cleanly pull slab off column after fracture.

Above treeline near summit, distinction between new/old became more distinct - yet hand shears remained moderate to hard with poor shear quality.

No collapsing, cracking. Ski cutting skin track and pillows produced no results. We skied 35+ degrees terrain and felt good about it.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Cooling
Wind Direction: 
Accumulation rate: 
None
More detailed information about the weather: 

Although Desolation was clear and calm, the Carson Range and Luther Pass areas remained in 75% to 100% cloud cover throughout the day.