Professional Observation

Basic Information

Observation Date:

March 31, 2022 - March 31, 2022

Submitted:

March 31, 2022

Observer:

Geoff Unger | Key Observer

Zone or Region:

Mammoth Lakes

Location:

Southeast Face of Mammoth Mountain - Spring Conditions

Recent Avalanches?

None Observed

Cracking?

None Experienced

Collapsing?

None Experienced

Stability Rating:

Good

Confidence in Rating:

High

Stability Trend:

Steady

Snow from the most recent storm is still sitting on top of old surfaces with a variety of textures. Today we found 10 cm(4 inches) of soft spring-like snow on top of a thick melt freeze crust on the southerly aspects of Mammoth Mountain. When we got on the lift at 9:30 there was still plenty of firm snow on groomers to take us quickly to the bottom of the next chair. Dropping off the back side of Mammoth just after 11 AM we found sun softened snow on East and Southeast aspects. The firm underlying snow was great for travel down and out to Twin Lakes Trailhead even in lower angle terrain. Having a fresh coat of wax on your board or skis was really helpful to get glide below 9000 feet.

Advanced Information

Cloud Cover:

Mostly Cloudy

Temperature:

4.0 degrees C

Wind:

Light , NE

Field Weather Observations:

Location Daves Wave/Visalia Bowl

Time 11:30

Elevation 10,000

Aspect SE

Sky -BKN

Tair/surf 4.0/-

Precip NO

Wind L -> NE

Blow Snow none

Surface Form/Size MFcr 0.5mm

HST 0cm

HS 194

Pen Boot/Pen Ski 5cm/5cm

Mid slope on a SE Aspect I dug down to note the depth of the old surface crust. Underneath the 10cm of Fist hard snow from the last storm I found 30cm of knife hard snow then 1 Finger + snow underneath the crust. This knife hard crust was very supportable. Note that boot and ski pen were the same depth. We also walked in boots on undisturbed snow lower down and did not punch through.