Punta Bardini just above skiier left telebowl in trees

Posted March 4th, 2010 by joshf

Location

United States
37° 36' 44.9928" N, 118° 57' 46.0548" W
Date and time of observation: 
March 4, 2010 - 11:15am
Region: 
Mammoth Area
Observation Type: 
Snowpack
Route: 

Standard approach.  From Sherwin Creek rd, up ridge between skier left telebowl and chutes to summit. 

Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Obvious avalanche path
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Wind Speed: 
Light
Wind Direction: 
West
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
More detailed information about the weather: 

10-14" of light new snow fell last night, with moderate winds from west, southwest.   Winds light today.

Snowpack & Snowpit Observations
Information about the snowpack/snowpit: 

No signs of woomphing, shooting cracks.  Evidence that main Bardini chute slid toward end of storm (debris in track).  Crown
not visible(wind blown snow covering), but guessing it probably was on steep upper east facing sidewalls that were considerably
wind loaded.  No other signs of instability.  Dug 2 test pits, one ~100 feet above skier left telebowl, and another at top of main
bardini chute.  Both pits revealed a very stable upper snowpack, atleast for the locations that they were dug!  Small steep
convex rolls had no reaction to skiing over.  Overall suprisingly stable for a foot of new snow with moderate winds.

First pit:  North facing, 32 degrees, 8800'
-Total snow depth=195cm
-195-160=fist
-160-140=4 finger
-140-95=1 finger
-CT tests = no results. 

2nd pit:  North facing, 36 degrees, 9700'
-Total snow depth=300cm
-300-260=fist
-260-240=4 finger
-240-195=1 finger
-CT22Q3 at 250cm X 2

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