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Professional Observation

       

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
November 22, 2022
Submitted:
November 22, 2022
Observer:
Everett Phillips | ESAC Forecaster
Zone or Region:
McGee Creek
Location:
McGee Creek and Bishop area - Roadside Condition Photos

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
None Observed
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced

 

 

Media

Table Mountain conditions
Bishop Bowl Conditions
McGee Creek Conditions. S and SE aspects of mostly snow free. NE holding on, but thin and weak down low and firm NTL and ATL.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Clear
Temperature:
36
Wind:
Light , SE

Snowpack Observations

I drove up McGee Creek Canyon today to get a feel for snowpack coverage and conditions. Like at other lower elevation trailheads we have visited lately, coverage is becoming more of a problem during the approach and egress parts of a tour.

Below treeline the height of snow is about  20cm. The snow is soft and loose (ski penetration 15cm) so that in areas where it isn’t compacted (off trail) you are essentially riding on the ground.

Near and Above treeline there is stiff supportable snow in couloirs and convex start zones on W, NW, N, NE, E. Warm daytime temperatures, sun, and wind have combined to create a mixed bag of strong surfaces.

S and SE aspects are mostly melted out.

Warmer mid-day temperatures are starting to take their toll. Moraines, cliff bands, and brush are increasingly eating into the snow cover. This is especially true in the southern part of the forecast zone where snow totals are significantly less than at trailheads further north. I attached trailhead photos of Bishop Bowl, Mt. Tom and Table Mountain from yesterday for good measure.

 

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