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PostPosted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 2:39 am
by ScottyP
What is a good landmark for MAPQUEST to use for the parkng area ? I am contemplating going but I am also need to be in Truckee that afternoon for another climb/ski. Thnks Scott

PostPosted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 5:40 am
by NewDayRising
squishy,

send you a pm

PostPosted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 12:58 pm
by rhyang
ScottyP wrote:What is a good landmark for MAPQUEST to use for the parkng area ? I am contemplating going but I am also need to be in Truckee that afternoon for another climb/ski. Thnks Scott


Use Google Maps instead :) Type in "Carson Pass, CA" and select the one in Alpine County / Markleeville.

PostPosted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 2:28 pm
by rhyang
Today's avy advisory -
http://www.sierraavalanchecenter.org/advisory

Forecast Disscussion:

Last night, 2-4 inches of cold, light snow (7-8% density) fell across the forecast area. Southwest winds averaging 30-35 mph continued to blow until early this morning when they shifted to the northwest and started to decrease. The northwest winds should continue today as a high pressure starts to build over the forecast area. Clear skies should also start to return to the Sierra as this high moves in. By tomorrow the winds should shift to the east and daytime highs should start to warm back up.

Observations:

Yesterday, the strong southwest winds and the new snow formed small wind slabs on the leeward slopes near and above treeline. Ski cuts and dropping oven-sized cornices onto the wind-loaded slopes on the east ridge of Tamarack Peak in the Mt. Rose backcountry caused these new winds slabs to fail. The resulting avalanches ranged from 6 to 18 inches deep and 15 to 60 feet wide. These slides only entrained the newly formed wind slabs and only ran 30 to 60 feet downhill. All of these slides occurred on N-NE facing, 38-42 degree slopes near ridgelines. These wind slabs only existed on open wind-loaded slopes near and above treeline. Below treeline on non-wind-affected slopes, the 3 inches of new snow sat on top of old crusts in most places. This crust was less prevalent on some of the shaded north aspects. On Elephant's Back near Carson Pass, less snow and more wind created smaller more isolated wind slabs. In areas where these wind slabs existed, they could be triggered by a skier. In both areas, a layer of graupel (snow's equivalent to ball bearings) 2-3 inches above the base of the new snow served as the failure layer. Wind scoured and wind packed surfaces with a dusting of new snow on top of them existed in most of the Elephant's Back area.

Avalanche concern #1: Wind Slabs

Wind slabs that have formed since Wednesday night will remain the primary avalanche concern today. These slabs should be slightly larger and more widespread today due last night's new snow and continued southwest winds. Human triggering of these wind slabs will remain possible today. The wind loaded, N-NE-E aspects near and above treeline will hold the largest and most tender of these wind slabs. Cross loading on the NW and SE aspects should have also created some wind slabs on these slopes in near and above treeline terrain. As the winds shift to the NW today, they will move more snow onto the SE aspects adding size to the wind slabs that currently exist on those aspects.

Avalanche concern #2: Warming instabilities

As the intense March sun hits the new snow, some isolated areas of instability may form on sun exposed aspects. Most of these instabilities should present as roller balls and point-release slides; however, some slab avalanches could occur especially on steep SE facing slopes with new snow on them. These warming instabilities should be most common below 8000', but they are not impossible at some of the higher elevations on the most sun exposed slopes.


The bottom line:

MODERATE avalanche danger exists in near and above treeline terrain on NW-N-NE-E aspects, 35 degrees and steeper with pockets of MODERATE danger on SE aspects. Below treeline avalanche danger is LOW with pockets of MODERATE danger in wind affected areas on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects 35 degrees and steeper.

PostPosted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 4:55 pm
by rhyang
I'm inclined to skip the couloir given the recent snowfall, but what do I know :)

Sounds like there will be significant late winter storms next week .. next weekend may well be the same (or worse) story. But I'm pretty sure the couloir will still be there later in April and probably into May.

PostPosted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 5:04 pm
by Craig Peer
I'm inclined to skip the couloir given the recent snowfall, but what do I know


Ditto. I prefer low avy risk.

PostPosted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 6:39 pm
by gomez13
I'll bring my shovel!

PostPosted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 7:21 pm
by rhyang
The weather is looking just about perfect for Pinnacles :)

PostPosted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 7:50 pm
by Dave Dinnell
Dingus Milktoast wrote:You know squish in order to dig you out Gomez will have to probe you first.

ENJOY!!!11111

DMT


After reading Squishy's posts, I believe he has had several abductions by aliens... he is used to being probed 8)

PostPosted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 9:09 pm
by Dragger
May I suggest a rematch on Saturday May 8th? How 'bout it? Surely the snow will be more consolidated by then.

PostPosted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 9:38 pm
by gomez13
I'll take a look tommorow, might do the West Ridge if the CMC looks Dicey.

PostPosted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 9:50 pm
by Dragger
squishy wrote:
Dragger wrote:May I suggest a rematch on Saturday May 8th? How 'bout it? Surely the snow will be more consolidated by then.


We also have 4 days of snow coming in this week as well right?


Yes, that's why I was suggesting waiting a while for the snow to consolidate more.

An idea

PostPosted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 9:53 pm
by depclimb
Who has an avalanche poodle?



I'll be good for 5/8

PostPosted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 10:05 pm
by JHH60
I was hoping to do this and meet other locals (and even try out my new avalanche beacon!) but had a conflict for tomorrow. If it's rescheduled for the 8th I think I can make it.

PostPosted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 11:26 pm
by gomez13
See you at 9:30! Then again on the 8th.