Large whumphs in wind loaded terrain above 2000'. Saw another skier kick off a small wind slab just below the ridgeline.
Observation: Chugach State Park
Location: Bear Valley
Up S-SW aspect in Bear Valley towards the McHugh Ridgeline. Winds increasing from the North during the hour long outing. Great skiing, but conditions were forming into more typical Front Range wind affected snow quickly with associated wind slabs and whumphing in loaded terrain.
Observer Comments
Weather
Clear with increasing winds. Snow plumes visible on surrounding ridgelines and active loading visible on S and SW aspects from N winds.
Snow surface
Fresh snow rapidly becoming wind affected and forming into wind slabs. Tracks were almost filled in at higher elevations in about 15 minutes. Great powder skiing from 3000' down to the car.
Snowpack
No pit dug but some hand pits and probing. The pack was more variable than expected with crusts at varying depth and fresh snow ranging from knee deep to a trace. The area gets strong winds which I think leads to the variable snowpack.