Sherwin Ridge Obs

SNOWPACK OBSERVATION Sherwin Ridge Mammoth Lakes
Submission Info Volunteer Observer Thursday, February 28, 2019 - 1:00pm

Contributor

Ryan Huetter

Red Flags:

Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain

37° 36' 37.4364" N, 118° 59' 33.8064" W

See map: Google Maps

Snowpit Observations

More detailed information about the snowpack:

Toured above Mammoth Rock to top of Sherwin Ridge. New snow totals ranged from 5cm of heavy wet snow at the trailhead to 20cm of moist powder near the ridgeline. Wind affect is pronounced, with shallow wind slabs and exposed rain crust comprising the majority of travel along the ridge, though softer deeper snow could be found just beyond the lee zone in sheltered trees.

Kickturn tests could only produced isolated failures and small shooting cracks up to 2m (see photo). Hand pit tests failed easily on dry snow 20cm down, and where more snow was deposited was well-bonded to the rain crust. Ski cuts on un-corniced entrances to the Hose and Main Avy Path only produced very small shallow slab releases. Skied the Hose down and had no other signs of storm slab or loose snow problems.

Snowpack photos:

Weather Observations

Blowing Snow:

Yes

Cloud Cover:

100% of the sky covered by clouds

Air temperature:

Above Freezing

Wind Speed:

Moderate

Precipitation:

Snow

Air temperature trend:

Static

Wind Direction:

Southwest

Accumulation rate:

Less than 1 in. per hour

More detailed information about the weather:

Moderate winds with strong gusts at times were loading slopes. S-1 snowfall came and went in brief showers, short clearings allowed for better vis but mostly sky cover was obscured.