Jawbone Canyon and West chute near Cardinal Pinacle

Posted April 16th, 2010 by joshf

Location

United States
37° 13' 19.1676" N, 118° 35' 26.5812" W
Date and time of observation: 
April 16, 2010 - 3:30pm
Region: 
Bishop Area
Observation Type: 
Snowpack
Route: 

From aspendell rd closure, up Jaw Bone Canyon to ridge, down west facing chute to skiers left of Cardinal Pinacle.

Weather Observations
More detailed information about the weather: 

Clear, sunny, not a cloud in the ski.  Light winds around 11000'.  2 degrees celsius at 11000' at 3:30pm. 

Snowpack & Snowpit Observations
Information about the snowpack/snowpit: 

-9000': Recent shallow point releases observed near rock outcrops on north west facing slopes. 
-9500':  Shallow wet slab release on NE facing slope observed ... possibly skier triggered, about 30' wide, ran ~75', huge 1 inch crown. 
-10400':  1inch surface wind crust ontop of ~6inches fist hard snow ontop of pencil+ hard snow on mellow north facing slope.  This breakable wind crust was prevalent on atleast north to east aspects above 10400'. 
-11000':  Old 1-2 foot crown visible on north to northeast facing slopes just below ridge line likely triggered naturally during storm last sunday storm, as debris is not discernable.
-One pit dug at 11000' on east facing slope.  See attached profile.  Stable snow, staying cold at this elevation with light winds, no softening.  Thin layer of 1mm surface facets visible, likely formed last night, ontop of wind crust.
-10700': NNW facing slope, quick test pit CT no results.
-10500', WNW facing slope, 20cm of new fist hard snow ontop of 5cm crust ontop of 4 finger snow.  

Pit Profiles & Snowpack Photos: 
Comments: 

West facing slopes softening a good deal below 10500' in the mid to late afternoon.  Except for some very shallow surface wet instabilities on a variety of aspects, stable conditions were observed.  Good skiing on west facing terrain in the later afternoon, especially above 9300'!  Good below 9300 to 8500 but getting a little sticky today.  Not all west chutes go from head of jaw bone canyon (some cliff out), and the one I skied will require a little bit of walking over rocks in a small section in another couple days.   Below 10000' in jaw bone canyon proped mid afternoon great softened snow skiing conditions.

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