Observation: Avalanche Professional

All Observations

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
April 3, 2022
Submitted:
April 3, 2022
Observer:
Avalanche Professional - NPS Rainier Rangers
Zone or Region:
West South
Location:
Pan Point - Marmot Hill - Golden Gate (5400 - 6900')

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Media/Attachments

Structure of the snowpack's top meter in the Golden Gate area. Note the promint 6-8" MFcr, and ~2' of soft, wet snow beneath.
Isolated cracking in growing drifts and cornices near treeline on Golden Gate

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Overcast
Temperature:
30°F
Wind:
Moderate , W

Light snowfall beginning with consistent moderate ridgeline winds with stronger gusts lending to increased snow transport.

Snowpack Observations

Top meter of snowpack consists of a 1-3" surface layer of wind blown soft snow on top of a thin MFcr over another 1-2" fist hard snow. All of this is resting on a 6-8" thick, pencil-knife hard MFcr, with up to 2' of wet snow below. The recent surface layers show some propensity to slide in hand pits, resistive planar quality, and could produce with incoming storm snow/weight.

Wind blown snow is drifting throughout the paradise area, and still small today, but presenting isolated cracking in test slopes.

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