We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.
What you see is 22% of normal snowpack! The problem is a high-pressure which, like last year is hanging like a curse over northern California. To see it in action, look at http://www.intellicast.com/Storm/Hurricane/PacificSatellite.aspx?animate=true
I can't see any junk science in that photo. Just natural forces which would exist whether or not "man". I guess I'm just not that deep. I have, however been over Donner pass once or twice on my motorbike and found myself quite spooked by the idea of rockfall just like what I see here.