Observation: Chugach State Park

Snow science trip to see how the Front Range snowpack is shaping up at Peak 3. It’s still frustratingly thin,
but now has a substantial windpacked base that’s hopefully here to stay. As usual, snow depth is highly
variable ranging from a few inches (in exposed areas) to a few feet (in windloaded areas, depressions, and
gullies). Although the top of Peak 3 is still storms away from being skiable without severe base damage, it
is covered and exposed rock has a unique rime-like coating.

Two pits were dug at 2700′ and 3700′. The first, lower pit at 2700′ had unsettling results but was in a
deeper more protected area where snow depth is highly variable and terrain isn’t conducive to large
avalanches. Very impressive depth hoar development here. Second, higher pit had better results, actually
no results – all the columns did move slightly on the ground but were outside of ECT and CT test
parameters. Snowpack here is quite homogenous.