debris of large slide filling terrain trap
crown of large slide
unmarked photo- very hard to photograph but crowns were clearly visible to the eye
Observation: Girdwood
Location: Magpie
Broke trail on the standard uptrack to Magpie basin—ski pen consistently 10-15 cm with a firm base. Observed large, sagging cornices and wind effect on ridge lines. Observed numerous point releases and small D1-1.5 (2-3 inch deep) wind slabs that had released during the storm. Of note was a larger natural D2.5 slide in a NE facing chute (SS-N-D2.5R4) — failure plane unknown. The crown varied between ~4 feet deep at the loaded ridge top and 8-10 inches lower down. Debris filled a large terrain trap.
Skied low-angle terrain from bowl to valley without incident or other red flags.