| Recent Avalanches? | Yes |
| Collapsing (Whumphing)? | No |
| Cracking (Shooting cracks)? | Yes |
Observation: Other Regions
Location: Palmer Creek Rd.
Approximately 6 miles up Palmer Creek Road. Area typically slides and covers the road. We arrived and saw the trail was completely wiped out by a massive slide worse than I or my partner had ever seen. It appears there was an older slide already present when the snow from the previous cycle combined with the warmer temps came down carving a massive trench completely down to Palmer creek in the bottom of the valley. Sides of the slide chute were 8′ or higher and glazed ice. Obviously we did not witness this event but wish to advise others of the dangers in this area. We were able to carve a rough trail into and out of the chute and proceeded into the upper valley. Took several hours of digging. Snow pack in the upper valley is not as deep as was expected and very unstable. 4″ or so wind affected crust on top of very deep sugar snow with absolutely no base. Fractures were seen along most slopes. No pits were dug but conditions are obviously hazardous. I wouldn’t advise planning any trips to this area.
Obvious signs of instability
Observer Comments
Cracking/fracturing on many slopes all along the valley. Baseless underlying layer with wind crust on top.
Weather
Clear skies and cool in the shade. Vastly warmer in the sun
Snow surface
Wind crust of approximately 4-5". Perhaps 2" of newer snow from last Saturday on top of crust layer.
Snowpack
Anything below upper layer was suagar snow. No base to it at all. Did not attempt to dig a pit.
slide chute at mile 6
slide chute pic 2
slide chute pic 3