Tahoe National Forest Sierra Avalanche Center

Pit dug to examine the March 13 graupel layer on top of melt freeze crust combo that has caused deep slab avalanches in the Mt. Rose area. Layer was found in this area but was nonreactive with snowpack tests. Snow pit dug in near treeline terrain just below ridgeline.

Pit dug in crown of natural deep slab avalanche that most likely occurred on March 16. Near treeline terrain. 34 cm of storm snow covering bed surface at crown.

Pit dug on below treeline wind protected road cut where loose dry avalanche (D1) was intentionally skier triggered from the top. Looking for storm slab. Very quick test pit. Did not use magnification to identify crystal types.

Good Stability below treeline - touchy wind slabs and active wind loading anear and above treeline. Deep ECTN 14 targetting the old pwl @ 63cm.

Pit dug in below treeline terrain.

Snowpit dug adjacent to natural deep slab avalanche below the bench thought to have occurred between Mar 2-4. Open area in below treeline terrain.

Pit dug just uphill from pit in same area on March 6 in order to examine changes in deep slab stability. Significant stability increase as compared to the March 6 snowpit data.

Pit dug adjacent to deep slab avalanche on 3/4/2018 to examine stability trend in the weak layer of concern. There is a 3/4/2018 pit from the avalanche in snowpilot.

Pit dug in near treeline terrain. Deep slab structure present. Signs of weak layer rounding and stability gains. Pit dug very high in start zone due to potential deep slab hazard in steeper down slope terrain.