Tahoe National Forest Sierra Avalanche Center

Test pit dug in near treeline terrain to monitor faceting in upper snowpack. Whumpfing and collapsing observed at 3 different locations. Unstable areas were isolated throughout the terrain, no intentional avalanches could be triggered on test slopes with the facet layer/slab combo.

Pit dug in near treeline terrain.

Pit dug in below treeline terrain.

Test pit to observe faceting in upper snowpack and past rain crusts. Informal obs and snowpack tests show very good present stability.

Adjacent to other recent pits targetting hard slabs on facets