Observation: Girdwood

Location: Notch

Date:
Observer:
Route & General Observations

Notch to 2300′

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

Overcast with valley fog over Turnagain Arm
Occasional light wind - variable - at ridgeline
Temps in the high teens/low 20s

Snow surface

3-6" of soft recent snow along the entire route, with the exception of 1-2" of soft snow on the ridgeline... recent winds didn't impact the surface much even in wind prone locations.

Surface hoar - generally 4-8mm - was present in openings in the trees up to 2000'. See photo below.

Snowpack

Pit #1: 2300', NW aspect, HS=200cm, 18 degree slope. Pit depth 100cm.
Ski penetration of 3", Boot penetration of 7"
Stability tests failed 85cm from the surface in 1-1.5mm facets
These large facets sat on the stout Halloween crust
CT 21, 23, 27 SC & CTNx2. ECTP29 and ECTX, PST 40/100 END
(See photo below for full structure.)

Ski pole probing revealed a similar slab/facet structure from 1400' - 2300', with 80-100cm over the stout Halloween melt/freeze crust.

A fairly recent appearing glide crack was seen on the back of Mt. Alyeska, Northeast aspect, around 1800' (see photo below).

Photos & Video
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