Avalanche: Turnagain

Location: Petes North

Date:
Observer:
Route & General Observations

Pete’s North to 3000 on a SW aspect

Avalanche Details
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Trigger NaturalRemote Trigger0
Avalanche Type Hard SlabAspect Southwest
Elevation 2900ftSlope Angleunknown
Crown Depth5ftWidth 150ft
Vertical Rununknown  
Avalanche Details

Glide crack formed and partly released on SW aspect of Lipps; this glide was not present as of 12/26. See photos below.

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

The glides in Lynx Creek drainage as pictured in the first photo of Heather Thamm's 12/24 observation have multiplied, with one appearing to have released in the past day or two. See photos below.

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

Few clouds with patchy valley fog turning to overcast skies early afternoon; late afternoon the skies became obscured. Cold objects started riming at this time. Light occasional east winds at ridgeline. Temps warming from 20s to near freezing by late in the day.

Snow surface

Soft snow surface along the entire route. Ski penetration of 3-6" below treeline, changing to 1-6" above treeline depending on wind exposure.

Snowpack

No formal tests; probing revealed a similar structure to further north in the valley, but with what felt like thinner/softer melt freeze crusts than observed in other locations to the north this week.

1500' - Height of Snow (HS): 90cm, crust down 80cm
2000' - HS: 150cm, crust sandwich down 120cm
2300' - HS: 160cm, crust sandwich down 135cm

Photos & Video
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