Observation type
Snowpack

Observer
Anonymous

Keep me anonymous if published
yes

Location (general area)
Eastern San Gabriel Mountains

Latitude

Longitude

Date (yyyymmdd)
20210124

Time
1230

Road conditions to area

Temperature
-1C

Sky
few clouds (up to 2/8)

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

Wind direction
SW

Wind direction in degrees

Slope aspect
North East

Aspect in degrees

Slope angle
22

Elevation
2,200m

Snow depth
50cm

Boot/ Ski penetration

Precipitation
None

Activity, recent avalanches
No

Brief description

Whumphing noises, shooting cracks. collapsing
yes

Rapid warming
no

Obvious avalanche path
no

Terrain trap
no

Comment
Toured at 1100AM Sunday after waking up to way more snow than originally forecast. Temp never got above freezing, but the sky was clear and sun was shining, with little to no wind below 2100m. E and SE aspects were quickly starting to get baked in the UV, but predominantly N aspects had substantial deposits of cold, soft snow.

Quick pit at ~2,200m on a NE slope revealed a ~50cm snow depth. Bottom 15-20cm was old, icy snow leftover from New Years weeks storm, above that was from last week's little snow event, and top 20-30cm was new snow from 1/23-1/24. Quick test showed failure at ~20cm from surface; this was also later observed during kick turns higher up the ridge.

Found some soft, low-angle turns on the way down, plus a few lurking rocks for safe measure. SW winds picked up substantially after heading home, so I suspect wind transport/loading will be a serious consideration for the next round of storms.

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Yes I would like this observation Published

Snowpack