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Snowpack Summary January 17, 2020
Posted by Allen Giernet @ 8:32 am This summary applies to backcountry areas only. The Bottom Line – The long cool dry spell was broken by a brief storm delivering at most a couple of inches near the 8,000’/ 2,438m elevation. Accompanying this system was strong Southwest winds. With the new available snow we can expect to see Windslabs developing on Northerly aspects. Prior to this storm we had quite variable surface conditions in most areas, wind crusts and melt freeze crusts were predominant. Expect poor bonding of the wind transported snow to the old snow surface. There will be variability throughout the mountains, be aware of vastly different conditions as you travel in relation to elevation, aspect and slope angle. The cold temperatures will have maintained fast firm conditions in some locations especially at the lower elevations where melt freeze conditions have taken place. Watch for these conditions on sun exposed slopes and Southern aspects. Be aware and bring proper equipment (ice axe and crampons) to prevent a slip and fall situation that could lead to a slide for life scenario. Exercise caution on slopes >30°. Be well aware of your surroundings and changing conditions throughout the day and your travel area. Expect variable conditions, be prepared with the proper equipment and plan accordingly. Please share any and all snow observations through our reports page. Any information is valuable no matter how simple 
Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs. General Summary
The recent system brought anywhere from a dusting to 2”/ 5cm of snow at the 8,000’/ 2,438m elevation accompanied by strong Southwest winds. The available new snow will be deposited onto leeward slopes NE, N, and NW developing windslabs. The variable but mostly old snow surface that consisted of mostly wind crust and melt freeze crust will provide poor bonding for the building windslabs. There are pockets of soft fresh snow in sheltered areas so expect to find variable conditions. Windslabs may not be large but could still sweep you off your feet and potentially bury you in the right locations. Exercise caution in your travels and be aware of changing conditions as you change elevations and aspects. Also noted have been observations at lower elevations of near surface facet developing due to strong inversions. If buried with enough snow from wind transport or covered with the recent storm snow these may become our future persistent weak layer with subsequent storms. Dig into the snowpack and be aware of these conditions if they exist in your trasvel area. Anticipate fast firm conditions at the lower elevations in the mornings especially on Southern aspects and where sun exposure has created melt freeze crusts. These conditions may persist through the day if temperatures remain below freezing. Be prepared with ice axe and crampons or change travel plans. Prevent getting yourself into a situation where retreat is not possible. A slip and fall in these conditions can lead to a slide for life scenario with dire consequences. These situations are the biggest problem we have in our southern California mountains and are the cause for most of our winter rescue situations. To better understand the challenges and potential variability over the large area we are producing information for please read our Snowpack Summary - Format and Limitations Disclaimer:
This Bulletin is designed to generally describe conditions where local variations always occur. Travelers are advised to exercise caution and make slope specific evaluations. As always, please treat this bulletin with appropriately guarded skepticism and make your own assessments. Help to provide more information to the community by reporting your observations
1-17-20 Reports of a dusting to 2"/ 5cm of snow fell overnight. The day starts with a cold morning partially cloudy skies and moderate Southwest to west winds becoming Northerly and light through the day. There may be some morning fog and, in our southernmost range could be some lingering morning snow showers.
••• The previous forecast discussion ••• Friday will be mostly clear as gradual warming begins. Warming will continue through the weekend with light to moderate Northwesterly winds. Another low pressure trough is expected to move through Monday into Tuesday morning with cooler temperatures and a slight chance of snow. Wednesday through the and of next week will be dryer and clearer with warmer temperatures. Hint: for historical weather forecast data use our facebook page as all posts are there on a running timeline. For more details check each areas forecast and weather stations for most current information. Latest Observtions
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Observation type
Snowpack Location - Jepson Peak Date (yyyymmdd) - 20200113 Comment - Hiked out of south fork trail on Monday to see how the chutes on Jepson are looking. The answer? Not good. Last weeks winds scoured the faces of Gorgonio and Jepson and left behind a nasty wind crust/ice layer. Turned around and skinned up Charlton peak and found similar, but more rideable, conditions in the main gullies/chutes. Not the most fun descent. Made one last quick ascent up the eastern side of Shields peak to see how the snow was on its protected, north face (34.1378588, -116.8655426). Surprisingly, there was pretty good coverage and still some soft snow which made for some great turns through the trees. |
Observation type
Snowpack Location - Mt Charlton Date (yyyymmdd) - 20200108 Comment - Skied Charlton peak on Wednesday, wind was picking up when we topped out. A few obs from the tour: -Protected N aspects low down had some near surface facets. Likely due to our temperature inversions overnight. -Solar slopes had up to 3cm of temp crust. Pretty hard for us on the way up, soft"er" on the way down/later in the day. -Lots of signs of wind effect (sastrugi). We dug a quick pit just below the summit of Charlton and found 50cm of 4f- wind slab. Fairly well bonded to the Dec rain crust below. No results to ECT. -Skiing was variable. Pockets of slightly consolidated powder—buttery and solid. Lots of breakable wind board. Chunks of wind board would sluff but no propagation or energy. -Looking at the N facing slopes off San G and Jepson, it looks like we are stripping snow off the top, but keeping the chutes filled in nicley. While we were up there, observed strong winds were blowing snow in to the next county! |
Observation type - Snowpack
Location (general area) - Mt Pinos Date (yyyymmdd) - 20200105 Comment - Good news and bad news on Mt. Pinos. Want the bad news first? In a word: CRUST. Just about everywhere, except for a few pockets of powder on northern aspects. Skiing was fairly difficult. I used my wide powder boards, which at least did not break through the inch or so of melt-freeze crust. I don't think my smaller skis would have done better. The good news is: deep coverage, just about everywhere. Both summit meadows are covered so well that there are only a few bushes showing. I tried a run down the SW aspect off Pinos summit, but turning wasn't any fun, so I skinned back up and tried the NW. Not much better, except for those few pockets. But the bushes are all covered, all the way down to the Pinos/Sawmill gully. Give us another storm--we do have a great base. Otherwise a January thaw spell ought to create a lot of corn, a process which has already begun. Despite the bare road--took more than a week to open it since the last storm, CHP was checking everyone closely for chains or 4WD. They will look in your trunk. And you need the Adventure Pass up there. |
Observation type
Snowpack Location - Dollar Lake San G area Date (yyyymmdd) - 20200105 Comment - Toured out of South Fork. Plenty of coverage on Shady aspects above 9000 feet. Below 9000 feet the snowpack is still highly featured and quite shallow. Fun to ride with rock skis or board. Some powder conditions still exist in protected gullies in the shade. A little bit of breakable crust on terrain exposed to wind and mid day sun. Small avalanche from previous storm cycle observed in the run out zone coming off of Charlton Peak towards south fork meadows (Small natural D1). Things are starting to shape up nicely in the San Bernardinos. Another 2 feet of snow will open up more terrain and fill in the bushes above horse meadows for half day tours. |
General Caution
You should always use safe terrain management and carry avalanche rescue equipment in the backcountry. Most avalanches are triggered by someone in the party or the victim. Practice with your rescue gear often and be prepared should the worst happen. Though we do not have an avalanche forecast center in this area as of yet, the information posted and shared here as well as the resources available on this site will help to make informed decisions for your backcountry travels. Use avalanche forecasts in your travels wherever available and be aware that avalanche ratings are general information. Elevation, location, geographic variability’s, slope aspect and angle all have effects on the particular area you travel in. This is only one piece of the information you should use in your decision making process. There is no substitute for avalanche education, for more resources and information as well as education please refer to our resources page.
You should always use safe terrain management and carry avalanche rescue equipment in the backcountry. Most avalanches are triggered by someone in the party or the victim. Practice with your rescue gear often and be prepared should the worst happen. Though we do not have an avalanche forecast center in this area as of yet, the information posted and shared here as well as the resources available on this site will help to make informed decisions for your backcountry travels. Use avalanche forecasts in your travels wherever available and be aware that avalanche ratings are general information. Elevation, location, geographic variability’s, slope aspect and angle all have effects on the particular area you travel in. This is only one piece of the information you should use in your decision making process. There is no substitute for avalanche education, for more resources and information as well as education please refer to our resources page.
SCSAC T-shirts and Hats now available
with donation
Fundraising
campaign
We are raising funds to purchase and install the first of several weather stations at remote locations in our local mountains. This will bring us much needed pertinent data from above snow line that we doe not have reliable resources for. Satelite link up will bring us snow depth and amounts, along with wind, temperature and much more and will be available to the public.
Our goal is to raise $10,000 to purchase the equipment, cover installations costs and provide for a much needed overhaul of the website.
Please contribute to make this a reality for us all. Click on the donate button below and come out to join our annual fundraiser event at Mt. Baldy
Goal: $10,000 Recieved: $2,500.00
For more information go to the Fundraiser Program page
campaign
We are raising funds to purchase and install the first of several weather stations at remote locations in our local mountains. This will bring us much needed pertinent data from above snow line that we doe not have reliable resources for. Satelite link up will bring us snow depth and amounts, along with wind, temperature and much more and will be available to the public.
Our goal is to raise $10,000 to purchase the equipment, cover installations costs and provide for a much needed overhaul of the website.
Please contribute to make this a reality for us all. Click on the donate button below and come out to join our annual fundraiser event at Mt. Baldy
Goal: $10,000 Recieved: $2,500.00
For more information go to the Fundraiser Program page
2019/20 Events
The Avalanche Center
The Avalanche Center
Events 2019/20Free Avalanche
Awareness
Presentations:
Everyone is welcome
Our first presentation of the Season
Sports LTD
Unfortunately Rescheduled for a later date
More Dates and locations coming soon
Awareness
Presentations:
Everyone is welcome
Our first presentation of the Season
Sports LTD
Unfortunately Rescheduled for a later date
More Dates and locations coming soon
National Ski
Patrol - Local
Claremont Calif. L.A.
Level 1 Class sessions
Registration
live now
January 14 & 16
Field sessions
January 25 & 26
February 22 & 23
March 7 & 8
Level 2 Class sessions
January 28 & 30
Registration
live now
Field sessions February 22 & 23
March 7 & 8
Go To Events page for full details
Sierra Mountain
Center
Bishop, Ca
Sierra Mountain
Guides
Bishop, Ca.
Sierra
Mountaineering
International
Bishop, Ca
For the current curriculum nationwide visit the
AAI
AAIRE
&
A3
websites
Patrol - Local
Claremont Calif. L.A.
Level 1 Class sessions
Registration
live now
January 14 & 16
Field sessions
January 25 & 26
February 22 & 23
March 7 & 8
Level 2 Class sessions
January 28 & 30
Registration
live now
Field sessions February 22 & 23
March 7 & 8
Go To Events page for full details
Sierra Mountain
Center
Bishop, Ca
Sierra Mountain
Guides
Bishop, Ca.
Sierra
Mountaineering
International
Bishop, Ca
For the current curriculum nationwide visit the
AAI
AAIRE
&
A3
websites
