Observation type
Snowpack
Observer
Allen Giernet, Keith and Donna Newlin
Keep me anonymous if published
no
Location (general area)
Mount San Jacinto
Latitude
33.80431
Longitude
-116.67194
Date (yyyymmdd)
20170307
Time
1600
Road conditions to area
Clear and dry to tram parking
Temperature
2.5°C / 36.5°F
Sky
clear (no clouds)
Wind speed
Calm (smoke rises vertically)
Wind direction
not observed
Slope aspect
South East
Aspect in degrees
130°
Slope angle
22°
Elevation
2,886m/ 9,468'
Snow depth
185cm/ 72"
Boot/ Ski penetration
4cm/ 1.75"
Precipitation
None
Activity, recent avalanches
No
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks. collapsing
yes
Rapid warming
yes
Obvious avalanche path
yes
Terrain trap
yes
Comment
3pm round valley meadow SP .5cm soft wet surface
HS 45cm -122cn 9,120'
Solid ice layer in snowpack see pit data for how deep.
Collapsing ice crust noted around 9,200' beneath more recent soft snow. Some whompfing but isolated.
No reactions on stability tests no signs of propagation on collapsing layer
After 4pm ice crust began to develop as snow went into the shade.
Over all fairly stable snowpack. Layers have been refrozen Or are very consolidated.
Biggest concern will be as temperatures warm wetslides developing on the icy surface interface. Expect wetslides in the late morning through afternoon as snow surface gets radiated. Also lack of refreeze overnight will contribute to this.

Publish this observation
Yes I would like this observation Published

Creek on trail into Round Valley.

San Jacinto Pit 3-7-17

Round Valley with San J just above the trees