Observation: Turnagain

Lynx Creek

Obvious Signs of Instability
Recent Avalanches- several shallow, low volume point releases in very steep terrain.
– numerous shallow wind slabs that had released naturally, maybe 2-3 days old
Shooting Cracks-none observed
Collapsing/Whoompfing-no

Weather
Partly cloudy with occasional clear skies
Temps in the teens
No precip
Light winds out of the North

Surface Obs
Deep powder! 18-24” of light density snow above 2,000’ in elevation
Observed isolated pockets of recently formed windslab in the higher elevations,
on or near ridge crests

Snowpit info
N Aspect
2,300’ 20 deg slope
HS=150cm
Layer of Concern @ 55cm down
2mm facets on Jan crust- layer is <1cm thick
CT 12, 14×2 RP, ECTN 17

Our look at the snow under the surface aligned with what we have been seeing in
other areas; a thin layer of facets sits on top of the January crust.
Distribution of this layer is inconsistent and showing up as we look in areas we
have not been to yet this year. This is the layer of greatest concern for now.
Steep (>40) rollovers/convexities, wind drifted areas, leeward high elevation
slopes and large, steep open terrain are the most likely areas to activate this
layer.
The general makeup of the Feb snow (the slab sitting on the facets/crust) is
“right side up”.