Observation: Turnagain

Date: 3/9/2013
Time: 11 AM – 5:30 PM
Location: Eddie’s

Route: Left the lower parking lot at 400′ elevation and traveled the usual skin
track up on north through west facing aspects, to just below the common summit;
two laps, skiing north and northwest aspects.

Weather: Thermometer died today, but definitely above freezing when leaving the
truck in the morning at 400′. Cooler up top – below freezing – with a light
breeze not capable of transporting snow. No sign of snow transport on
neighboring peaks. Overcast in the morning, clearing to partly cloudy
throughout the day.

Snowpack: Cornice formation over SW and West aspects. The top foot of the snow
pack was moist below 1000′ but dry above that. 10-15 cm of new, medium density
snow above 1000′ – see pit results below.

Instability: Recent small loose snow avalanches were observed on steep, SE
aspects across the road. A small natural cornice release (~1’x1’x5′) south of
the uptrack, around 2000′, had pushed loose snow down to the bottom of a 40
degree, SW facing rollover, most likely occurring the night before. No
cracking, whumphing, or avalanche activity observed. Snow pit test and results
included below.