Observation: Summit

Location: Fresno

Date:
Observer:
Route & General Observations

Ventured to Summit for a tour and look at the new snowfall/effects from the recent system that moved in over new year’s. We picked our way up the southeast mining road to get some elevation without any larger slopes above us. Decided to dig a pit due to the surprisingly light snowfall and the good weather.

Red Flags
Red flags are simple visual clues that are a sign of potential avalanche danger. Please record any sign of red flags below.
Obvious signs of instability
Recent Avalanches?No
Collapsing (Whumphing)?Yes
Cracking (Shooting cracks)?No
Weather & Snow Characteristics
Please provide details to help us determine the weather and snowpack during the time this observation took place.
Weather

Warm but dry, with no active snowfall at the time of our tour. Very light breeze where we ripped skins at 2300 feet

Snow surface

About 40 cm of new snow

Snowpack

See snow pilot. We witnessed a very reactive interface between the new snow and old snow. The basal facets in this south-facing pit appeared to be rounding. No significant concerning results at the ground in this pit with CT/ECT/shovel shear. In east-facing pits dug on 1/2/23, the facets were more granular and reactive.

Photos & Video
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