Observation: Turnagain

Location: Sunburst

Date:
Observer:
Route & General Observations

1 lap up standard uptrack at western side of ridge. Two more laps at eastern end near Taylor Pass.

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

We saw the aftermath of the large avalanche on Pastoral already noted in other observations.

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

partially cloudy, strong gusty west wind. lots of snow blowing around.

Snow surface

some wind deposited fresh snow, lots of wind battered or scoured snow. A quick not-scientific test (see photo) of the surface snow showed that it could shear and slide when isolated, but we did not have any snow actually crack on us while skiing, despite going into obviously recently cross loaded micro-gullies.

Snowpack

from 0.0m to over 2m thick throughout the area. We checked out a pit dug by the group in front of us. 3,100ft on a W aspect. A few inches of new soft wind deposit, over hoar frost in some areas. Thick wind pack with 2 stout crusts on top of degrading basal facets. (see photo)

Photos & Video
Please upload photos below. Maximum of 5 megabytes per image. Click here for help on resizing images. If you are having trouble uploading please email images separately to staff.