Observation: Chugach State Park

Location: Peak 3

Date:
Observer:
Big Ripper
Route & General Observations

Toured to 3300’ through 7-12” of low density fluff. Winds picked up and began to move snow at 9am, transport was intense up high. Storm snow was poorly bonded to old surfaces below, cracking and showing potential to propagate.

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)?No
Cracking (Shooting cracks)?Yes
Observer Comments

Infrequent shooting cracks of moderate length and full storm slab depth. This potential to propagate was observed from the TH to the alpine. Photo attached below.

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

At 9 am, winds picked up above 2500’ and precipitation rates dropped off. Heavy transport was observed up high. Temperatures in the alpine also warmed to ~20 degF with the change in weather.

Snow surface

7-12” of heady pow.

Photos & Video
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Shooting cracks at 2000’  

Location
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