Observation Date: 01/01/2012

Route/Location:
Wahoo Pass above Mud Lake

Weather:
Clear, sunny, temps in 20s, no wind

Wind:
No wind loadingThe addition of weight on top of a snowpack, usually from precipitation, wind drifting, or a person.The added weight of wind drifted snow. visible

New Snow: 12+”

Snow DensityThe mass of snow per unit volume, but often expressed as a percent water content. New fallen powder has a low densityThe mass of snow per unit volume, but often expressed as a percent water content. New fallen powder has a low density (3-10%), while heavy or wet snow is more dense (10-20%). (3-10%), while heavy or wet snow is more dense (10-20%).: Low

Avalanche Activity:
No visible cracking, whommping, or signs of instability.

2 pits dug at 7100′ east aspectThe compass direction a slope faces i.e. North, South, East, West. in medium forested 28 degree slope
CT15+, Q2 with layer releasing at buried surface hoarFeathery crystals that form on the snow surface during clear and calm conditions - essentially frozen dewFeathery crystals that form on the snow surface during clear and calm conditions - essentially frozen dew. Forms a persistent weak layerA snowpack layer with less strength than adjacent layers. Often the layer in the snowpack where an avalanche fractures. once buried.. Forms a persistent weak layerA snowpack layer with less strength than adjacent layers. Often the layer in the snowpack where an avalanche fractures. once buried. 120cm deep.
Total snow depth 220cm with two buried layers 120cm and 200cm.

Other Comments:
StabilityThe chance that an avalanche will not occur, relative to a given trigger (usually the weight of a human). much better than expected but skied low angle meadows to be sure.

Observer: Dave Nixon