| Trigger | Natural | Remote Trigger | No |
| Avalanche Type | Hard Slab | Aspect | North Northeast |
| Elevation | 3300ft | Slope Angle | 40deg |
| Crown Depth | unknown | Width | 400ft |
| Vertical Run | 1500ft |
Avalanche: Chugach State Park
Location: South Fork of Eagle River
Drove up Hiland Road to look for new natural avalanches in better light. We did see two other significant natural avalanches (in addition to the avalanche that hit the road yesterday)- one in between the Solstice Gully and Swiss Bowl on the west side of the valley and one avalanche on 3 Bowls.
Avalanche Details
This describes the avalanche that occurred on the west side of the valley, between Solstice Gully and Swiss Bowl
We also saw a naturally triggered avalanche in Three Bowls. The three bowls avalanche was on a W aspect. The wind had blown in the crown, but from the photo and the slide path, we thought the start zone occurred at around ~3,200' and also looked like a hard slab debris pile. The width of that avalanche looked like it was 200' and the vertical run was ~800'
Obvious signs of instability
| Recent Avalanches? | Yes |
| Collapsing (Whumphing)? | No |
| Cracking (Shooting cracks)? | No |
Observer Comments
The winds were ripping (~20-50mph winds at ridgetops) predominately from the SE. Flagging and transport were visible from most ridge tops.
We were able to see three natural avalanches from the road.
No cars were parked at the South Fork Valley Trailhead or Harp Trailhead when we drove through.
Weather
11:00 am- broken skies, strong ridgetop winds, no precip
12: 30 pm-broken skies, strong ridgetop winds, no precip
1:30 pm- overcast skies, strong ridgetop winds, no precip
Snow surface
The snow surface was wind-loaded, and flagging was visible on most peaks in the area
Snowpack
We did not dig a snowpit, we were mostly monitoring the snow's reaction to the high wind warning and photographing the natural avalanches while we had some nice light.
Another photo of debris path from yesterday. Photo: Peter Wadsworth 2.13.24
Shot of road avalanche from west side of the valley. Photo: Peter Wadsworth 2.13.24
Photo of natural avalanche between Solstice Gully and Swiss Bowl on the west side of the valley. Photo: Peter Wadsworth 2.13.24
Three Bowls natural avalanche. Photo: Peter Wadsworth 2.13.24
Harp Mountain. Photo: Peter Wadsworth 2.13.24
Two Bowls. Photo: Peter Wadsworth 2.13.24