Tahoe National Forest Sierra Avalanche Center

Looked at NW aspect to see development of basal facets. Snowpack tests and informal observations showed that this layer was not reactive on this aspect and elevation.

Pit dug in wind protected area below treeline. Testpit specifically dug to examine basal facets.

Pit dug in below treeline terrain. Small trees with numerous openings of 3 to 10m.

Rain on new snow overnight. Snow surface conditions were a variety of crusts on shaded aspects that were mostly ski supportable but some breakable. On solar aspects, soft snow existed with mostly shallow snowpack conditions.

Minimal snow coverage on most slopes with Northerly aspects in the 9000' range having 30-40cm.

Pit dug at treeline in between avalanche start zones. Snowpack previously rained on.

Pit dug in near treeline terrain.

Pit dug in near treeline terrain.

Pit dug in near treeline terrain.