Black Mountain, East Face Trees to Summit

Observer: d lewis
Date: Jan 21, 2018, 2:20 PM
Loc: Red Lake Cirque Trees 
Lat/Lon:38.0428, -119.2682
Elevation: 10300 f
Aspect: ENE Angle: 28°
Signs of Instability: Recent Avalanches, Wind Loading
Sky Cover: -BKN
Precipitation: Snow, Very light snowfall < .5 cm/hour
Wind Speed: Calm subjective
Blowing Snow: Light
Boot Penetration: 20cm

Comments: Toured to the summit of Black Mountain to assess early season Persistent weakness distribution, new snow settlement, and recent wind transport. Persistent pockets of facets exist from lake elevation (~9800') to near the summit (~11500'). The facets are capped by a variety of melt/freeze crusts or suspended wind slabs now with 5 to 15 cm (2-6")settled snow. Some light wind transport from West to Southwesterly winds above treeline, primarilly nearing summit elevation (11,700'). Thin Wind Slabs noted on Easterly aspects near the summit but adjacent fetch lacked additional snow. Patches of Persistent weakness is still present in some locations. Currently not reactive, needs more weight to become widely reactive. Noted a rider triggered Wind Slab on east face of Black Mountain (R1, D1), elevation ~10800', East aspect , ~100' x ~150". Looked to be shallow, slope prone to wind loading with West to Northwest winds. Very small sloughs where distrubed. 2 Stability Tests: CT16 Q3 65cm CT11 Q3 65cm 11. Third test no result. No settlement or whumphing noted. Plenty of tracks on South Peaks, Easterly aspect, Mt Owen a few less.