Observation: Chugach State Park

Location: North Bowl, South Fork Eagle River trailhead

Date:
Observer:
Route & General Observations

Thin snowpack all around, with poor coverage near ridgetops and close to the trailhead. Took the hiking trail up until there was a clear route to the pass, dug a pit, did two short laps in tree line, and skied down once snow quality deteriorated.

Red Flags
Red flags are simple visual clues that are a sign of potential avalanche danger. Please record any sign of red flags below.
Obvious signs of instability
Recent Avalanches?No
Collapsing (Whumphing)?Yes
Cracking (Shooting cracks)?No
Observer Comments

We heard two whumphs triggered by another party while we were digging a quick pit. The temperature was also warming rapidly during the course of our tour.

Weather & Snow Characteristics
Please provide details to help us determine the weather and snowpack during the time this observation took place.
Weather

The weather went from party cloudy and ~38 when we arrived at around 2:30 pm to overcast and ~45 degrees when we left at 4:30 pm. Calm to light winds throughout.

Snow surface

The snow surface was mostly compacted, rounded grains. The snow became notably wetter and grabbier as the day went on, and looked relatively wind affected higher up than the pass, though we stopped short.

Snowpack

Dug a quick pit - moist facets are definitely present near the base, HS of around 65 cm. No propagation on an ECT test, with failure on isolation near ground on a CT test.