Observation type
Snowpack

Observer
Kevin Nerison

Keep me anonymous if published
no

Location (general area)
San Gorgonio Wilderness

Latitude

Longitude

Date (yyyymmdd)
3/16/2021

Time
1:30pm

Road conditions to area
Plowed

Temperature
30

Sky
clear (no clouds)

Wind speed
Calm (smoke rises vertically)

Wind direction
not observed

Wind direction in degrees

Slope aspect
North East

Aspect in degrees

Slope angle
30-40

Elevation
9,200 ft. 

Snow depth
40 inches

Boot/ Ski penetration
Deep

Precipitation
None

Activity, recent avalanches
No

Brief description

Whumphing noises, shooting cracks. collapsing
no

Rapid warming
yes

Obvious avalanche path
no

Terrain trap
no

Comment
Toured up into the San G Wilderness to get a feel for the snow after the recent storms. I didn't encounter many signs of instability, other than observing some wind shaped snow in the gullies above 9000 from the recent wind events. 

Dug in at 9200 feet in a treed area on Charlton's NE aspect. Found a 40 inch snowpack with 26 inches of light, new snow sitting on top of a 4 inch weak faceted layer. I performed a stability test and found no reaction, but definitely a concerning weak layer and something to be aware of when making terrain choices. 

Coverage was receding quickly below 8200 with grabby and bare conditions on the lower portions of my trip back to the trailhead. 

Publish this observation
Yes I would like this observation Published