Observation: Turnagain

Route: Johnson Pass trailhead into Lynx Creek Drainage

Weather:
Clear, sunny skies and calm winds.
Temps in the low to mid-30’s. 34 degrees at Turnagain pass @ 1700.

Signs of Instability:
Recent Avalanches: None. We did observe wet loose activity that pulled out shallow slabs on south
facing slopes. All appeared to be several days old.
Cracking: None observed
Collapsing: None observed

Surface Conditions:
Consistent, breakable melt-freeze crust observed to ridge tops. We could not escape the crust today,
though it was softening up later in the day at lower elevations.

Snowpack Observations:
We dug a quick pit at 3400’, NE aspect. HS was 110-150cm.
Several different crust/ facet combos in the upper 1/3 of the snowpack (see photo), above Jan/Feb.
interface.
Advanced facets at the Jan/ Feb interface observed. Extended column test did not give us an exciting
result (ECTN) though a ninja kick to the column with my heel eventually produced a shear at the Jan/
Feb interface without propagating.

All in all it was a beautiful day to be had in the mountains. If you can beat your way above the alder,
one can travel quite fast and far on the crust right now.