No Red Flags observed.
Observation: Turnagain
Location: Sunburst
Sunburst common route on west ridge.
Observer Comments
Weather
Brilliant sunshine.
Temperatures in the 20's F along ridge and 34F at parking lot at 430pm.
Light southerly winds along the ridge.
*Strong westerly winds at sea level along Turnagain Arm on drive home in evening.
Snow surface
1-2 inches of new snow from the day before on surface
Southerly aspects had a 1-2" sun crust below the 2" of new snow. The new snow was moistening and beginning to stick to the older sun crust. (photo)
Shaded and wind protected aspects sported soft settled powder
Significant wind effect along ridge itself.
Snowpack
No weakness found in top 2 feet of snowpack in a pit dug at 2,700' on a west aspect.
Noted a wet loose avalanche on the SE aspect of Seattle Ridge that subsequently triggered several pockets of slab avalanches. Unknown when the avalanche occurred but likely on Tuesday with the very warm temperatures.
New snow on a sun crust at 2,500'. Snow was warming and sticking to crust.
Snow pit at 2,700'
Many folks have enjoyed this easily accessed slope over the past few weeks
View looking up at the ridge just outside of parking lot
What appears to be a recent wet loose avalanche on Seattle Ridge that triggered a series of slabs as the debris ran down the gully. Poor photo quality and hard to see the slabs but the debris visible.