Professional Observation
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
January 1, 2023 - January 1, 2023Submitted:
January 1, 2023Observer:
Ryan Huetter | Key ObserverZone or Region:
Mammoth LakesLocation:
Mammoth KnollsSigns of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
None ObservedCracking?
None ExperiencedCollapsing?
None ExperiencedSnow Stability
Stability Rating:
FairConfidence in Rating:
ModerateStability Trend:
ImprovingKey Points
Toured from 8100′ to 8800′ on SE-SW aspects in BTL terrain midday.
- HS at 8100′ was 110cm. HS at 8800′ was 165cm.
- Boot pen was consistently 60+cm, ski pen depth averaged 40cm.
- While HS was deeper than I would have expected considering the loss of snow due to rain at this elevation, it still seems to be barely at threshold for slab avalanches due to the height of the ground cover (large manzanita).
- On a S aspect, 20 deg slope with an HS of 155 dug down below the saturated snow to assess bonding of the storm snow.
- 155-132 F- PPs
- 132-100 4F PPs
- 100-90 1F Rnds
- 90-// 1F Moist Rnds
- CT20 SP down 38 on PPs, ECTN down 38.
- No signs of instabilities noted within this elevation band on these solar aspects.
Advanced Information
Weather Summary
Cloud Cover:
Mostly CloudyTemperature:
Below freezingWind:
Light , N
BKN to OVC skies, intermittent S-1 precip. Light winds out of the north, no blowing snow or visible transport.
Avalanche Observations
None observed.
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