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Professional Observation

       

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
April 24, 2023
Submitted:
April 24, 2023
Observer:
Everett Phillips | ESAC Forecaster
Zone or Region:
Mammoth Lakes
Location:
Strong Winds on Mt. Locke, Bishop Creek

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Key Points

Continued monitoring of surface conditions and warming on various aspects and elevations. The plan today was to try to time conditions right for a SE facing descent from ~ 12,500′.

  • Winds were gusty especially around ridgelines.
  • Surface snow did not before thaw before noon, except of SE faces below 10,500′
  • Minimal snow blowing up north facing couloirs on the Checkered Demon – Locke Ridge.
  • There is still cold chalky snow on high elevation N aspects.
  • Ski and boot pen were 0cm at 10,500′ at 11:00 AM
  • Ski and boot pen were 5cm at 9000′ at 12:00 PM

Overall, winds preventing the surface snow from softening was the story of the morning.

Media

Frozen textured snow in Bishop Bowl NE asp. 9500' at 8:00 AM. These same slopes were still firm at 11:30 AM because of cooling from moderate west winds.
Firm, but edgealbe snow surface on the Se face of Mt. Locke at 11 AM.
Snow coverage in Bishop Creek from the summit of Mt. Locke. 4/24/2023.
Finally some better conditions: 9000' E aspect. 11:30 AM

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Clear
Temperature:
38 F @ 10,500' at 11:00 AM
Wind:
Moderate , W

Strong and gusty winds on ridgleines made standing up difficult at times. 54 F in @ 8400′ in Aspendell at noon.

Snowpack Observations

Good hard refreeze last night. Snow surfaces above treeline are rough and granular. The best sliding surface are at lower elevations.

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