Observation: Chugach State Park

Location: Bear Valley

Date:
Observer:
Route & General Observations

Skinned up the valley to the gully at the end it. Fog bellow us, and a few clouds that gave way to clear skies. Winds did show its signs.

Red Flags
Red flags are simple visual clues that are a sign of potential avalanche danger. Please record any sign of red flags below.
Obvious signs of instability
Recent Avalanches?No
Collapsing (Whumphing)?Yes
Cracking (Shooting cracks)?No
Observer Comments

On the bottom of the valley heard a loud whumphing when on top of some alders. Then heard another small one at a close location. My best bet is that there was a refreeze layer beneath us. There was a few obvious wind slabs up high on the gully too but easy to avoid them

Weather & Snow Characteristics
Please provide details to help us determine the weather and snowpack during the time this observation took place.
Weather

Not as cold as yesterday, but wind picked up as we got higher up.

Snow surface

Variable and wind affected, a mix of soft shallow to hard sastrugi up high, bulletproof and breakable crusts highly variable thickness with very few spots with soft snow.

Snowpack

Didn't dig a snow pit

Photos & Video
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