Observation type
Snowpack

Observer 
Quinn Carson

Keep me anonymous if published
no

Location (general area)
San Gorgonio Wilderness

Latitude

Longitude

Date (yyyymmdd)
03/13/21

Time
2pm

Road conditions to area
Plowed

Temperature
20 degrees F

Sky
Overcast (sky covered)

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

Wind direction
not observed

Wind direction in degrees

Slope aspect
North

Aspect in degrees

Slope angle
45

Elevation
10,000

Snow depth
160cm

Boot/ Ski penetration
DEEP

Precipitation
Medium

Activity, recent avalanches
No

Brief description
Snowpack stable but some concerning red flags present

Whumphing noises, shooting cracks. collapsing
yes

Rapid warming
no

Obvious avalanche path
no

Terrain trap
no

Comment
2ft + of light fluffy storm snow. Snow was about 16" deep at 8k and about 36" deep at 10k. Heard loud whomphing noises at 10k. Dug a pit and found a faceted layer below the storm snow 2ft deep. Was definitely concerning. Did a stability and propagation test and had no results. The storm snow was very light in nature with not a lot of water weight making it unlikely for a slab to release on that deep faceted layer. Avoided obvious avy paths and ski'd in trees. This snowpack could become dangerous as rapid warming occurs or more weight is added to the snowpack. 

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