Manto nevoso

Mammoth Crest - Storm clouds and a trace of snow

Steve MaceEastside Region
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Foto dell’osservazione 1Foto dell’osservazione 2Foto dell’osservazione 3

Weather

Air Temp
20
Cloud Cover
overcast
Wind Loading
none
Recent Snowfall
Trace
Snow Avail For Transport
small smounts

Temps were chilly today with mostly overcast skies with brief moments of "sucker hole" blue sky. Winds were mostly calm, with the occasional light breeze. Flurries of snow made an appearance periodically throughout the day, beginning at about 7 am. As of 330 pm, there is only a trace of new snow near the Mammoth crest.

Snowpack

Variable is the word of the day.

  • New snow was minimal along my tour today, with only a trace of new snow by my exit at 3:30 pm
  • Overall, the coverage remains low, and obstacles like fallen trees and rocks abound.
  • Surface crusts are common on terrain features exposed to wind (wind board - both breakable and supportable) or to sun (melt-freeze crusts, varying in thickness) 
  • sheltered and shaded terrain contains loose surface facets 1-2 mm in size
  • I dug a quick pit near treeline on a sheltered north aspect just under 10,000'. In this location, I found a height of snow of 145 cm and a right-side-up snowpack. I had no concerning results in my stability tests in this location, though the entire pack is faceted to some degree. 
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