| Recent Avalanches? | No |
| Collapsing (Whumphing)? | Yes |
| Cracking (Shooting cracks)? | No |
Observation: Girdwood
Location: Crow Creek
11:30-14:30-Ascended Ridgeline near Glacier Gulch heading NE towards Goat Mountain from winter lot TH to 2,400 ft. Encountered limited visibility due to gradually lowering valley fog layer and obscured skies, along with widespread variable snow surface throughout our tour. Consistent snow with calm winds made for a delightful descent with temps hovering around 18°-24°F.
Obvious signs of instability
Observer Comments
Localized collapsing was encountered when transitioning from intermittent, unconsolidated wind compacted snow (of up to 20cm thick), onto less wind-deposited, softer snow surfaces which sat over unconsolidated facet layer.
Weather
Mostly Overcast, with obscured visibility due to shifting Valley Fog layer (1,000-2,500ft).
Pockets of blue sky and thin fog unveiled Magpie for sporadic portions of the day.
Light, consistent S-1 to S1 with calm to light Northern winds.
18°-24°F
Snow surface
2-4" of fresh, dry snow sitting over recent storm snow (1/28-1/29) with widespread wind-affected top surface snow from 1,000ft+.
Wind-affected snow was spatially variable and primarily encountered within the first 20-40cm of the snowpack with 4F-1F hardness, and moderately reactive with ski tests and hand pit tests.
Ski penetration varied from 5cm to 60cm but could be avoided in isolated spots with light vs aggressive downward pressure.
Snowpack
Below the sporadic and widespread wind-affected top surface layer, 1-2mm facets were found on all elevations of tour.
Wind-deposited snow affected Snow depth +/- 50cm.
HS 80-100cm @ 1,000-1,500 ft
HS 85-120cm @ 1,900ft
HS 90-140cm @ 2,200 ft+
Visibility near Glacier Gulch, Crow Creek. 1pm, 1,600 ft., W Aspect