Stability Tests from Deep Creek

Location Name: 
Deep Creek
Region: 
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sat, 03/24/2012 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 14' 52.2312" N, 120° 15' 5.7636" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Stability tests were performed next to 2 large natural avalanches that occured sometime during the 3/16-3/17 avalanche cycle.  Both avalanches failed on the January facet/crust combo buried down 70-80cm.  HS=115cm at 7250'.  The snowpack is moist top to bottom with the exception of a 2-3cm surface melt freeze crust.  North aspects had a trace of new snow on top of a supportable crust, below 7000' the snow was punchy and sticky.  In many places you could easily push your ski pole through the moist weak snowpack to the ground.  Still a shallow and weak snowpack in the Deep Creek area, the stabilty tests varied somewhat but still show that we have a weak layer with some reactivity.

Video #1:  ECTP-21 down on January crust/facet combo.

Video #2:  PST 60/100 down on January crust/facet combo.

Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

DeepCreek2012-3-24 013.avi

DeepCreek2012-3-24 014.avi

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
50% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: