Observation: Turnagain

Location: Seattle Ridge

Date:

November 2, 2018 2:00pm

Observer:

W Wagner and H Thamm Professional

Route & General Observations

Toured up the snowmachine up-track to the top of Seattle Ridge to take stock on the early season snow conditions. Which consisted of only the snow that fell on Oct. 29.
Note: Snow from earlier in Oct. existed above 2,500′ before the Oct. 29 snow fell, yet our high point on the ridge was only 2,200′.

Red Flags

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Observer Comments

Winds picking up from the east transporting snow into drifts and small slabs on the ridge.

Weather & Snow Characteristics

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

Weather

Sunny with high clouds moving in around noon
Temps: 25-30F
Wind: East 20-30mph on ridge, North light below ridge

Snow surface

Faceted snow and wind affected faceted snow in most areas. Sun curst on steeper south aspects.
Surface hoar in valleys, but not found higher up on the repeat offender slope.

Snowpack

Only 6-10" of faceting snow over soft unfrozen ground. This snow is from the 10-12" that fell on Oct 29 that has settled. The sun crust on the steeper portions of repeat offender made skiing difficult. Water is still running in drainages at 2,000'.

Winds were being to scour the meager amounts of snow off the ground and pile it into drifts along the ridge. Ground was more frozen on the ridge.

Photos & Video

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