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Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center

Public Observation

Observation Details

Observation Date:
December 14, 2022
Submitted:
December 15, 2022
Zone or Region:
Mammoth Lakes
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Laurel Lakes Canyon

Observations

NE Aspect, 9000'. HS 110cm. Facets from 0-10cm.

Signs of Unstable Snow

None reported

Media

Dani Reyes-Acosta examining our snow pit off of Laurel Lakes Rd.
Dani Reyes-Acosta performing a hand hardness test.

Advanced Observations

Observed Avalanche Problem #1: 
Persistent Slab
Comments: 
NE Facing Aspect at approximately 9,000 ft off of Laurel Lakes Road (approach for Bloody Mountain): 10 cm of extremely faceted snow, grain size to ground followed by 20 cm of very stiff slab. Very consistent with what others have found in other areas of Mammoth Lakes. The slab is very heavy, super cohesive, and hard to cut through.
Observed Avalanche Problem #2: 
Dry Loose
Comments: 
Above the persistent slab, we had 2.5 cm of softer snow that is about one pencil. 3.5 to 4 cm of stiff slab but not as stiff as the large one. 2.5 cm of soft snow and then our latest storm that is 20 cm of consolidated slab.
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