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Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center

Professional Observation

       

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
January 17, 2022
Submitted:
January 17, 2022
Observer:
Chris Engelhardt | ESAC Forecaster
Zone or Region:
Rock Creek
Location:
NE aspect in Rock Creek 10,250ft

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Snow Stability

Stability Rating: 
Very Good
Confidence in Rating: 
High
Stability Trend: 
Steady

Media

8600ft rock creek
Upper Hilton Lks zone
Near surface facets and windstrewn needle cast 10300ft rock creek

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Overcast
Temperature:
28degF
Wind:
Calm

Overcast and below freezing temps (28-30F) for most of the day. Calm, with no wind, nor breeze to speak of.

Snowpack Observations

Headed up Rock Creek today and parked just past the Aspen Campground. On the roadside we found an interesting scene with a blood saturated granite boulder where a chicken had been sacrificed, and at least 20lbs of various fruit, pineapples, coconuts, bananas and all citrus types arranged in some offering fashion. There was no bother to remove the tags, nor clean up the multitude of discarded plates and other filth strewn on the edge of the creek. Hopefully it was a sacrifice for more snow, we freaking need it. We bagged up the detritus and disposed of it when we got home. I’m cursed already, so I don’t think it mattered.

Ski tours seem to consistently be more about the adventure than the skiing here on the Eastside and things didn’t change today. Lower elevations and sunnier aspects below 9000ft do not have much coverage at this point and skis took a beating on the way down. Higher northerly aspects within the trees averaged from 90-115cm of snow, most of which had 10cm of near surface facets on the surface which provided good turns from 10500ft to 9500ft. The snowpack where I dug (10,250ft NE aspect 33deg slope) was consolidated and robust, 1Finger hardness throughout on top of some 4F facets at the bottom of the snowpack. 2xColumn tests failed in the hard category at CT22 Q3 and CT23 Q3 both within the basal facet layer. No results/propagation/failure on an Extended Column test =ECTX. No other signs of instability what so ever.

 

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHGs6BWigoE

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