Observation: Chugach State Park

Location: South Fork Eagle River

Date:
Observer:
Route & General Observations

Toured from South Fork trailhead up to Northbowl and back along ridge towards Triangle Peak. Heavily wind affected surface conditions on N to NE aspects. Some touchy wind slabs on N aspects.

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

Old shooting cracks noted on wind slabs along standard up track. We got a shooting crack on a small wind slab at the top of north bowl.

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

Overcast at 9 am, progressing to sunny by 3 pm. Calm winds. Temps in upper 20s.

Snow surface

On N and NE aspects, wide spread wind board with thicknesses varying from 1 to 4" in thickness and ranging from unsupportable to supportable. On S and SW aspects, settled powder with minimal wind effect near ridge tops

Snowpack

No formal pits dug. Varied snow depth due to wind transport, average roughly 12" with areas over 24" and others scoured to ground. On N and NE aspects unsupportable wind board mentioned in snow surface description laid on top of 4F settled powder and made for challenging skiing. Snow on S and SW aspects were comprised of just the ~12" of 4F powder sitting directly on the ground. Settlement cones noted around grass/brush. No base made for a few shark filled turns.

Photos & Video
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