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Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center

Professional Observation

       

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
December 30, 2021
Submitted:
December 30, 2021
Observer:
Chris Engelhardt | ESAC Forecaster
Zone or Region:
Bishop Creek
Location:
Table Mountain

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Snow Stability

Stability Rating: 
Good
Confidence in Rating: 
High
Stability Trend: 
Worsening

Media

SW winds on Table Mtn
Inversion over the Owens Valley, mid-day Dec 30
Fresh, shallow wind slab development on NE aspect 10,300ft

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Mostly Sunny
Temperature:
22F
Wind:
Strong , SW

  • The Owens Valley was shrouded in an inversion of cloud and we broke out of it around 7500ft this morning. It was cool and crisp with beautiful sunny conditions on our skin up this morning.
  • 22degF at 12pm at 10,600t
  • 40mph consistent southwesterly wind at the summit at 12pm 10600ft.
  • Actively blowing snow with minor deposition on NE slopes adjacent to ridgeline.

Snowpack Observations

  • Snowpack coverage overall on Table Mountain is much improved yet still fairly shallow. The snowfall from the past 10 days or so has  been wind hammered and compacted with very firm conditions under yesterday’s light blanket of powder.
  • Yesterdays light powder was actively being blown away this afternoon, most of it sublimating in the atmosphere.
  • Elevation for stronger wind velocities seemed to be around 9600ft or so at mid-day in this area.
  • Shallower areas (>60cm) within steeper rocky zones and sheltered north facing convexities remain faceted and loose.
  • I did not observe any old large crowns or signs of large slab avalanches in the general area or in the bigger peaks of the Buttermilks area. It looked like there had been a few point releases of D1 in magnitude in Jawbone canyon previously and one larger D2.5 point release slide that had slid on the SE aspect opposite of the Mt. Locke/Wahoo gulley over in the Buttermilks.
  • I imagine today there was likely some active small dry loose point releases coming down from the highest peaks along the crest as there was a decent amount of light snow being blown around.
  • There was surface hoar throughout the tour with some larger feathers of (3-4mm) especially at the lower elevations above Bishop Creek.

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