Observation: Turnagain

Location: Seattle Ridge

Date:
Observer:
Route & General Observations

Field Observations
Jan.29, 2015

Route
Seattle Ridge to 3200′

Weather
Temps: 20-25F
Wind: Light (5-10mph)
Sky: Overcast to Obscured
Precip: Lightly snowing (only a trace)

Obvious Signs Of Instability
Recent Avalanches-NO
Shooting Cracks- A few, very localized cracking underfoot. Only found on flat, wind exposed areas along
Seattle Ridge, shallow pencil hard pockets.
Collapsing – NO

Glide Avalanches/Cracks- No evidence of recent glide avalanches or movement observed.

Surface Obs –
1000′: 2-3″of low density snow on ground
1500′: 2-3″ new snow on melt/freeze crust
2500′: Variable – Pockets of 1-4″ 1F hard wind slab on faceting old snow on Melt/freeze crust and areas of
2-5″ of low density faceting snow on melt/freeze crust
3000′: Variable – Pockets of 1-4″ 1F hard wind slab on faceting old snow on Melt/freeze crust and areas of
2-5″ of low density faceting snow on melt/freeze crust

Snow Below the Surface:
A stout melt/freeze crust was found up to our high point of 3200′. On top of the melt/freeze crust was 2-5
inches of near surface facets with pockets of 1-4″ wind slab on the surface. These wind slabs could not
support the weight of a skier and were non-reactive to ski cuts on steep terrain. The only area where
isolated wind slabs showed any energy was along the flat, wind exposed bench of Seattle Ridge. Much of
the focus was on the near surface faceting between the melt/freeze and the thin wind layer on the surface.
These facets ranged in size from .5 -2mm and were covering much of the Seattle Ridge area, all aspects.
This will be the layer to track upon the arrival of new snow, especially a large load.

Pit at 3000′ – HS = 76cm, East Aspect, 28* slope. See picture below.

At lower elevations (below 2500′) on Eastern aspects snow is very shallow (6 -12″) in places, with lots of
rocks and vegetation exposed.

Photos & Video
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