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Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center

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Observation Details

Observation Date:
January 20, 2022
Submitted:
January 20, 2022
Observer:
Josh Feinberg | Key Observer
Zone or Region:
Lundy Canyon
Location:
South facing slopes above Lundy to South Peak - softening snow

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

Key Points

  • Snow softened nicely on south facing slopes from 7800′-10800′ by noon for good supportable spring-like turns.
  • No signs of instability of any kind.
  • Boot penetration ranged from a few centimeters to 15cm at most.
  • A few softball sized rocks came down off of warming steep rocky slopes between 9:30-10:30am.
  • Between 10,000′ and 10,800′ at 11am, crampons were quite useful, and at 9am as well on the lower slopes before they got into the sun.
  • Winds remained calm all day, even at ridge top, with occasional very light gusts.
  • Thin morning clouds dissipated entirely by about 10:15am.

Thin morning clouds at 9:45am, Lundy Canyon

  • NE facing slopes from 10,800′ to 11,400′ (top of South Peak) were cold and wintery, and varied from near bullet proof in the center of the gully to actually quite nice facety styrofoam along the ridge down to the saddle between Mt. Olson and South Peak.

    Firm, but styrofoamy surface on NE ridgeline leading up from saddle to top of South Peak.

  • Air temps: 11am @ 10,600’=42°F; 11:45am @ 11,400’=40°F; 12:15pm @ 7,800’=37°F.

 

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