Observation type
Snowpack
Observer
Tony Bird
Keep me anonymous if published
no
Location (general area)
Mt. Waterman
Date (yyyymmdd)
3-3-2017
Time
day tour
Road conditions to area
bare
Temperature
low 50s
Sky
clear (no clouds)
Wind speed
Light (1-16mph Flags/twigs in motion)
Wind direction
NE
Slope aspect
not observed
Snow depth
up to 5 feet
Boot/ Ski penetration
an inch or two
Precipitation
None
Activity, recent avalanches
No
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks. collapsing
no
Rapid warming
no
Obvious avalanche path
no
Comment
Toured from Buckhorn Day Use parking up NE slopes of Mt. Waterman to top of Chair 3, then across the summit bowl area to a saddle just east of the summit.
This was my second tour in this area within a week. The five inches of snow which fell Sunday had bonded nicely to the deep hardpack, providing easy turns, spring corn most of the way with a few pleasant patches of powder in shaded northerly areas.
Encountered zero instability skiing slopes up to about 35 degrees and climbing a few which were steeper. No sluffing, no rollerballs. Tele boots penetrated only about 4 inches with a swift kick. Winds mostly calm, occasionally about 15 mph on ridgetops, temps into the 50s.
Managed a few turns on Waterman's south slope from that saddle, with views of the Twin Peaks, but obstacles limited descent to a couple hundred yards. The Mt. Wilson webcam showed a bit more coverage towards the southwest of the summit.
Every rivulet on the mountain is gushing full. Enough snow bridges to cross fairly conveniently on skis in most places.
Terrific views of the west slopes of Baldy, couloirs loaded with snow far down the mountain.
Publish this observation
Yes I would like this observation Published
Snowpack
Observer
Tony Bird
Keep me anonymous if published
no
Location (general area)
Mt. Waterman
Date (yyyymmdd)
3-3-2017
Time
day tour
Road conditions to area
bare
Temperature
low 50s
Sky
clear (no clouds)
Wind speed
Light (1-16mph Flags/twigs in motion)
Wind direction
NE
Slope aspect
not observed
Snow depth
up to 5 feet
Boot/ Ski penetration
an inch or two
Precipitation
None
Activity, recent avalanches
No
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks. collapsing
no
Rapid warming
no
Obvious avalanche path
no
Comment
Toured from Buckhorn Day Use parking up NE slopes of Mt. Waterman to top of Chair 3, then across the summit bowl area to a saddle just east of the summit.
This was my second tour in this area within a week. The five inches of snow which fell Sunday had bonded nicely to the deep hardpack, providing easy turns, spring corn most of the way with a few pleasant patches of powder in shaded northerly areas.
Encountered zero instability skiing slopes up to about 35 degrees and climbing a few which were steeper. No sluffing, no rollerballs. Tele boots penetrated only about 4 inches with a swift kick. Winds mostly calm, occasionally about 15 mph on ridgetops, temps into the 50s.
Managed a few turns on Waterman's south slope from that saddle, with views of the Twin Peaks, but obstacles limited descent to a couple hundred yards. The Mt. Wilson webcam showed a bit more coverage towards the southwest of the summit.
Every rivulet on the mountain is gushing full. Enough snow bridges to cross fairly conveniently on skis in most places.
Terrific views of the west slopes of Baldy, couloirs loaded with snow far down the mountain.
Publish this observation
Yes I would like this observation Published
