Observation: Chugach State Park

Location: Bear Valley

Date:
Observer:
Route & General Observations

Toured up ridge line above Brewsters Dr

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

Localized whomping, primarily in and around Alders.

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

Clear skies, litle wind(<5km/hr), air temp -2*C

Snow surface

below tree line, generally good skiing conditions were found. Top ~20cm of snow pack is heavily faceted.

Snowpack

Heavily variable snow depth, however, consistently poor structure. Primary layers of concern were a burried surface hoar layer ~30cm from surface, and basal facets and depth hoar. Test results from SW aspect, 26* slope, HS of 80, @ 2400 feet: ECTP10 30cm from surface on burried surface hoar. Basal facets were not found to be reactive.