Observation type
Snowpack
Observer
Allen Giernet
Keep me anonymous if published
no
Location (general area)
Mt. Islip approach
Latitude
34.34579
Longitude
-117.83135
Date (yyyymmdd)
20170102
Time
1052
Road conditions to area
Clear with patchy ice
Temperature
-2°c/ 28°F
Sky
Overcast (sky covered)
Wind speed
Light (1-16mph Flags/twigs in motion)
Wind direction
SW
Wind direction in degrees
N/O
Slope aspect
North West
Aspect in degrees
N/O
Slope angle
28°
Elevation
2,316m/ 7,600'
Snow depth
38cm/ 15"
Boot/ Ski penetration
SP 2cm/ .75"
Precipitation
None 
Activity, recent avalanches
No
Brief description
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks. collapsing
no
Rapid warming
no
Obvious avalanche path
no
Terrain trap
no
Comment
Snow line began near the intersection of the Santa Clara divide road and the Hwy 2.
 
Snow on Raod at gate closure for Islip saddle 2,042m/ 6700' aprox. 5 to 7.5cm/ 2 to 3" hardback from snow players etc. At 2,073m/ 6,800' signs of new snow easier skinning.
 
@ 2,347m/ 7,700' snow sticking to trees, Ski Pen 2.5cm/ 1" light powder on crust
 
Turned around below 2,438m/ 8,000'. Extremely ice crust could not get a ski edge in. Dangerous travel/ riding conditions defended to 2,316m/ 7,600' to dig a pit above Little Jimmy camp area.
Stability tests - CT16Q3@25cm/ CT12Q3@25cm/ ECTN14@25cm
 
Kratka East ridge @ 1:30pm skinned from the car @ 2,164m/ 7,100' performed ski cut on a frozen wind lip. Released a wind slap. Isolated anomaly we did not see this any where else. There were small windslabs scattered through out both areas.
 
North aspect of Kratka East 75m/ 246'/ below the ridge 30cm/ 12" snowpack. melt freeze crust at base and melt freeze crust on top. Wet grains below surface crust, middle of pack well consolidated storm snow from New Years Eve event. Extremely icy conditions above 2,286m/ 7,500' up to 2,743m/ 9,000' due to rain event prior to New Years Eve cold snow event. On all aspects though the southern aspects were fairly thin. Caution should be taken for icy travel at these elevations. i.e. ice axe and crampons recommended.

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Snow on trees at Mt. Islip

Pit Profile from 2,316m/ 7,600' on Mt. Islip ridge