Observation type
Snowpack
Observer
Allen Giernet
Keep me anonymous if published
no
Email (this will only be used if we have questions and will not be published)
allen@socalsnow.org
Location (general area)
Mt. Waterman 
Date (yyyymmdd)
20170113
Time
1140
Road conditions to area
Snow from Newcombs 
Temperature
2.5°c
Sky
Obscured (fog or base layer prevents view of sky)
Wind speed
Calm (smoke rises vertically)
Wind direction
not observed
Wind direction in degrees
NA
Slope aspect
North East
Aspect in degrees
40°
Slope angle
12°
Elevation
2,426m/ 7,960' 
Snow depth
38cm/ 15"
Boot/ Ski penetration
6cm/ 3cm
Precipitation
Light
Activity, recent avalanches
No
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks. collapsing
no
Rapid warming
no
Obvious avalanche path
no
Terrain trap
no
Comment
Began seeing substantial snow at Red Box parking area/ Mt. Wilson on the 2. Patchy ice and snow in areas. Solid snow .25miles past Newcombs.
 
Clear and sunny driving in approximately 8:00am.
 
9:30am Mt. Waterman trailhead 2,082m/ 6,830' sold snow on ground Boot pen 20cm/ 8" great skin from truck. -1.7°c/ 29°F. snow in great conditions. clouds in the distance around peaks towards Dawson and Islip but sunny and clear at trail.
 
2,182m/ 7,160' East slope 25cm/ 10" storm snow to ground
 
Dug a pit just off the top of the summit to get an idea of the pack 2,426m/ 7,960' the snow showed good bonding and the bond of new snow to the late Dec. Base that had gone through a melt freeze and rain creating an ice crust at the interface. See the attached pit profile for a more detailed look. There were two obvious rain events at the start of this storm with snowfall in between at 11cm and 17cm in the profile. this all began on Jan 7th and on Jan 10th we had rain turn to snow followed by another shot if rain before the steady snow.
 
These layers may become a concern with some significant loading but well well bonded at this time in this location.
 
Coverage was still thin with low tide consequences. Made cautious light turns and the snow was fantastic.
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