| Trigger | Skier | Remote Trigger | Unknown |
| Avalanche Type | Hard Slab | Aspect | West |
| Elevation | 3000ft | Slope Angle | unknown |
| Crown Depth | 24in | Width | 100ft |
| Vertical Run | 1000ft |
Avalanche: Chugach State Park
Location: South Fork Eagle River Harp Mountain/Hanging Valley
Toured from parking lot at Harp Mountain into hanging valley on east side of South Fork Eagle River Valley. Dug a pit at ~3400′ on south aspect in the upper basin of the hanging valley. Test results were ECT P 24 & 27 with a Q1 sudden planar fracture on faceted layer beneath dense wind slab about 40-50cm down. The total snowpack depth in our location was ~250cm (cross loaded area on lower apron of S face).
We bailed on that route after the test results and toured into the upper basin underneath the steep north facing terrain. As we were approaching the upper end of the basin at 4000′ a natural avalanche released at about 5000′ on a NW aspect. There was no apparent wind loading and no sun effect on the face when the avalanche released. The slab was on a steep bench between cliff faces. We were a decent ways away but I would guess it was ~ D1.5.
On our route out, about 5 minutes skin from the car, we came upon a debris field that had covered our tracks from the morning. The slab released at ~3000′ on the west aspect of the ridgeline leading up to Harp Mountain from the parking area. It looked like there were ski tracks along the ridge that might have triggered or remote triggered the slide. The crown looked to be several feet deep and maybe 100 ft wide, but we did not climb the slope to have a close look. We did a quick beacon search of the debris with no signals found, but we triggered some whumphs while doing the search and decided to leave the area. This second avalanche was a D 2 or 2.5.
Avalanche Details
(Copied from general route description)
As we were approaching the upper end of the basin at 4000' a natural avalanche released at about 5000' on a NW aspect. There was no apparent wind loading and no sun effect on the face when the avalanche released. The slab was on a steep bench between cliff faces. We were a decent ways away but I would guess it was ~ D1.5.
On our route out, about 5 minutes skin from the car, we came upon a debris field that had covered our tracks from the morning. The slab released at ~3000' on the west aspect of the ridgeline leading up to Harp Mountain from the parking area. It looked like there were ski tracks along the ridge that might have triggered or remote triggered the slide. The crown looked to be several feet deep and maybe 100 ft wide, but we did not climb the slope to have a close look. We did a quick beacon search of the debris with no signals found, but we triggered some whumphs while doing the search and decided to leave the area. This second avalanche was a D 2 or 2.5.
Obvious signs of instability
| Recent Avalanches? | Yes |
| Collapsing (Whumphing)? | Yes |
| Cracking (Shooting cracks)? | No |
Observer Comments
See avalanche details and general route description.
Weather
Some wind transport on upper ridgelines
Snow surface
Mostly settled powder. Some areas with variable wind effects on the surface.
Snowpack
Snow pack depth was highly variable. Ranging from 250 in a wind loaded area where we dug a pit to 50cm on upper elevation shaded terrain.
Avalanche we encountered near the trailhead. Released on the west aspect off of the ridge of Harp Mountain that rises from the parking area.
Photo from another group in the area who triggered this avalanche in the upper basin of the hanging valley with the big lake in it.