Observation: Portage / Placer

Location: Placer River valley

Date:
Observer:
Route & General Observations

Seward Highway to Leubner Lake in anticipation of a Wednesday motorized opener (Placer Valley).

Red Flags
Red flags are simple visual clues that are a sign of potential avalanche danger. Please record any sign of red flags below.
Observer Comments

Some whumphing in the Willow and Alder gardens.

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

15 degrees F. Light winds. Snowing less than 1cm/ hr all day. 18-20" new snow since Friday afternoon.

Snow surface

Blower powder. The stuff dreams are made of, and we're talking about sea level... Finally!

Snowpack

18-20" new storm snow is settling out. There is a very distinct ice lens in the mid-pack that you can feel under your sled or walking. It's almost supportable to walk on but then will give way and you'll punch thru to the ground. Below the ice crust, this low elevation (sea level) snowpack is a smorgasbord of decomposing crusts and moist facets. ECTP21 about 10cm above ice crust. Likely a slight density/ temperature change as the storm got going Friday night.

Photos & Video
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