Observation Date:
January 26, 2022
Submitted:
January 26, 2022
Observer:
Chris Engelhardt | ESAC Forecaster
Zone or Region:
Lee Vining
Location:
S aspect Lee Vining Canyon - Surface softening
Recent Avalanches?
None Observed
Cracking?
None Experienced
Collapsing?
None Experienced
Stability Rating:
Very Good
Confidence in Rating:
High
Stability Trend:
Steady
- Visited Lee Vining Canyon today and with a little skinning and quite a bit more booting with crampons we made it up to 10790ft on a S aspect. Booting was quick and painless and penetration averaged around 10cm or so and was softening nicely under bright sun and little to no wind. Rocks were already beginning to fall from road cuts at 0900 this morning, but we did not see any other activity at higher elevations.
- There were light sporadic breezes once we ascended over 10K today with very calm conditions down lower.
- 38degF @ 0930 @ 8470ft
- 33.5degF @ 1130 @ 10790ft
- Descended at 1145 and had good conditions with the top 5-10cm in the higher elevations softened and snow grain type starting to resemble true corn conditions a bit more every day with the on-going high pressure this month. Melt-Freeze cycles are doing their job melting surface grains and re-freezing them into bigger (3-5mm) rounded grains with larger bonds. Surface conditions were a bit looser at lower elevations (below 9K) with 15cm of ski penetration as we made our way through shallower areas of snow.
- No signs of instability and although warm, it was not a real cooker today with temperatures staying in the 30’sF for the first part of the day when the East and Southeast aspects get the most sun.
