Professional Observation

Basic Information

Observation Date:

January 31, 2022

Submitted:

January 31, 2022

Observer:

Brooke Maushund | Pro Observer

Zone or Region:

June Lake

Location:

June Lake Area - Surface moistening on NE aspects

Recent Avalanches?

None Observed

Cracking?

None Experienced

Collapsing?

None Experienced

Stability Rating:

Very Good

Confidence in Rating:

High

Stability Trend:

Steady

Stability generally very good, trending steady
Surface moistening happening on NE aspects to the point of warranting skin wax
Nov/Dec facet layer still present at higher elevations on NNE aspects but very stubborn
- ECTX , CTN, DT24 mid layer in the middle of the Nov/Dec facet layer
Near surface facets in sheltered northerly aspects still provide good skiing

Crunchy melt-freeze crust mixed with softer, sugary faceted snow

Spring-like glopping has arrived. Here's to hoping for snow

Advanced Information

Cloud Cover:

Mostly Cloudy

Temperature:

5°C

Wind:

Light , SW

Toured out on a NE aspect in the June Lake area around 1000 with SCT thin sky cover, air temps above 0°C, and surfaces varying from crunchy crust to softer snow in the shade (see photo). Stopping at 1013 on a NE slope at 8290′, we found HS 60cm, 5°C, surfaces generally soft with the top 3-4cm of snow noticeably moistening, with glopping issues beginning on our skins. Gaining more elevation to 9320′ on a NE (63°) slope we encountered more soft, moist snow in the top 2 cm on the ground — and sticking to our skins (see photo).

On the summit winds were calm at 1215, with HS varying around 50-62cm. Sky cover was increasing but still SCT and thin, airTemp 4°C. We then dropped off towards the more northerly aspect to dig our pit. Before our return to the car at 1340, skies were OVC but still thin, winds still calm.

Snowpit test results did not reveal any signs of instability with an ECTX (see video), CTN, and DT24 SC in the middle of the Nov/Dec layer (see attachment below or photo in reel of SnowPilot pit).

20220131_JunePit