Observation type
Snowpack

Observer
Hans Ludwig

Keep me anonymous if published
no

Location (general area)
John Hege Trailhead Toilet (W of Waterman)

Latitude
34.343638

Longitude
-117.961634

Date (yyyymmdd)
20190116

Time
4:48

Road conditions to area
Clear, Wet

Temperature
42 F (5.6 C)

Sky
Overcast (sky covered)

Wind speed
Light (1-16mph Flags/twigs in motion)

Wind direction
S

Wind direction in degrees

Slope aspect
North West

Aspect in degrees

Slope angle
25

Elevation
6800 ft

Snow depth
35 cm

Boot/ Ski penetration
13 cm

Precipitation
Light

Activity, recent avalanches
No

Brief description

Whumphing noises, shooting cracks. collapsing
no

Rapid warming
yes

Obvious avalanche path
no

Terrain trap
no

Comment
I left trailhead at 6400’ gate closure, AKA John Henge Trailhead Toilet, at 4:08 with 6-8” (15-20 cm) on the ground. It was slightly rainy, overcast, and some fog. Snow surface was very soft, heavy, and mushy the whole time. There were clear runnels where it had rained (see pic).  
Instagram pics showed it was snowing at 7000’ earlier that morning.
As I climbed, coverage became dramatically more even; from a patchy 6” (15 cm) to a solid 10” (25 cm).  
Pole probing consistently showed a soft surface over a hard, thin layer, over more soft snow.
Multiple test slopes produced no results—not even sluffs—which was weird b/c the surface was so soft; i.e. skis easily submarined the tips and stepping onto the snow sunk deep (~10-15 cm)
I dug a quick pit at 4:38 (6,800’) to find snowpack structure (see pic).
Two pit tests: CT14@20 BK & CT12 to ground.
I topped out on the ridge at 7000’ and skied back to my car. Snow was very heavy, slushy, and difficult to turn in. OTOH, turns sprayed an impressive wall-of-slop rooster tail.

Publish this observation
Yes I would like this observation Published
 

Rain Runnels