Observation Date:
February 24, 2022
Submitted:
February 24, 2022
Observer:
Ryan Huetter | Key Observer
Zone or Region:
Mammoth Lakes
Location:
Red Cone
Recent Avalanches?
Yes
Cracking?
Isolated
Collapsing?
None Experienced
Stability Rating:
Fair
Confidence in Rating:
Moderate
Stability Trend:
Steady
- Toured to a super secret, locals-only spot in the Mammoth Lakes Basin called “Red Cone”. So secret in fact, that no one had bothered to go ski it yet, even by 7am, after not having received any new snow in 50-something days! Maybe I’ll just keep this secret to myself then…
- Temps were cold leaving Tamarack, 2 deg F, but getting out of the inversion helped and by 9500′ felt a good deal warmer.
- As Chris reported from the Lakes Basin yesterday, 10-20cm of F hard unconsolidated snow up to 9500-9800′ where HST reached up to 30cm. Surfaces were quite wind affected near and above treeline with notable scouring and scalloping on surfaces. Dense, slabby snow exists along ridge lines and small kicks walking along the ridge produced small slab releases up to 35cm in depth.
- Observed a recent (past 12 hrs) natural wind slab (N-HS-R2-D1.5) that released on the NE aspect of Red Cone proper. Some surfaces appeared smooth in the bowl, though plenty of old tracks were visible.
- Skied the East glades back down to George, finding a mix of decent turns and dust on crust conditions. Better skiing was found on lower angles.
