Several older debris piles seen, likely from the last 10 days or so. Lots of new glide cracks observed, likely opening up in the last 2-3 days.
Observation: Turnagain, Summit
Location: Kenai Mtns
Took advantage of an opportunity to fly from ANC-Moose Pass/ Seward then back thru Turnagain pass before returning to ANC.
Summit Lake zone:: Very wind effected. Windward slopes stripped of snow to bare ground. Leeward slopes have significant loading.
Moose Pass/ Seward: One large crown (~4200′) observed just N. of Mt. Alice.
Turnagain pass: Lots of new Glide cracks throughout TP. Did not see glides elsewhere. Beyond the glides noted in obs over the last 2 days, I noticed a dozen or more new glide cracks N. of the common uptrack, east face of Seattle Ridge. At least 1 had released. 1 small mid-slope crown seen on the S side of Seattle ridge, across from Pete’s.
Observer Comments
Weather
Clear and sunny in Anchorage. Mid level clouds driven by east winds spilling over from PWS. Partly sunny further south toward Seward today. Winds in the 20-30mph range.
Snow surface
Very wind effected in the upper elevations (as observed from the air). Heavy rime above 4500' and large cornices looming over slopes.
Wind effected terrain in the Summit Lake zone.
Deep slab, N of Mt. Alice near Seward.
Glide cracks opening up on the E face of Seattle ridge (N. of the common snowmachine uptrack).
More Seattle ridge glide cracks.
Small mid-slope avalanche behind Bertha Cr. campground on Seattle ridge.