Professional Observation

Basic Information

Observation Date:

March 23, 2022 - March 23, 2022

Submitted:

March 23, 2022

Observer:

Geoff Unger | Key Observer

Zone or Region:

Mammoth Lakes

Location:

Hammil Bowl

Recent Avalanches?

Yes

Cracking?

None Experienced

Collapsing?

None Experienced

Started early from Twin Lakes Trailhead this morning to get in some skiing before the warm temps. We encountered our first roller balls from our skin track at 10 AM on an East facing aspect at 10500 feet. The surface snow continued to warm and weaken from there. By the time we skied our first run around 11 AM we had significant roller balls and pinwheels coming off of our skis. This led us to choose lower angle terrain for our second lap. Both of these runs were over 10,000 feet on E and SE Aspects. We also saw natural roller balls coming off of the rocks in steep terrain nearby. See avalanche observation below. On the way out we had gloppy and punchy conditions returning to the trailhead. It was nice to have the lake and the road to get back home given unpacked the lower elevation terrain was very weak and trap door skiing.

Stability Rating:

Good

Confidence in Rating:

High

Stability Trend:

Worsening

Advanced Information

Cloud Cover:

Clear

Temperature:

7.5 C

Wind:

Light , E

Mild to hot with a cooling breeze today.

Field Weather Observations:

Location Hammil Lake

Time 11:25

Elevation 9950

Aspect S

Sky CLR

Tair/surf 7.5/-1.5/

Precip NO

Wind L variiable gusting M

Blow Snow none

Surface Form/Size Mfcr/

HST 0cm

HS 300+

Pen Boot/Pen Ski 5cm/2cm

#	Date	Location	Size	Type	Bed Sfc	Depth	Trigger	Comments	Photo
1	Today	Hammil Bowl SE 10800	D1	WL		Surface	N-Natural

Maybe just roller balls, but a good mass of them all coming down at once. This occurred before 11 AM today.