Observation: Turnagain

Location: Sunburst

Date:
Observer:
Route & General Observations

Ascended standard uptrack to 3150′ on Sunburst ridge.

Winds have done a number on the south end of Turnagain– NE aspect of Magnum was scoured with cross loaded gullies
Looking across at Seattle Ridge, the south end seemed to be much more scoured than the north.

No whumphing or shooting cracks. The main face of Sunburst appears shallow and wind affected.

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

Warm, temps in 30s.
Sky: 9am Obscured, 10am and on: Scattered
Light winds overall at low elevations, picking up to moderate above 2200'. Observed flagging high on Sunburst ridge, around 3500'.
Skin track filled in lightly between laps.

Snow surface

800-1300': light rime/rain crust on top of 10" new snow from last storm
1600': rime crust gone, 14" new snow - boot-top ski pen
2100': Sastrugi and wind scour - ski pen of >1cm
3150': Light, consistent wind effect. Total snow depth between 160-230cm with spatial variability. Ski pen, ~1cm

Ski Quality:
Snow was wind affected but consistent on the southwest aspect below the standard uptrack from ~3100'-1900'
On a more westerly to northwest aspect, from 2300' down to 1300' into Lyons creek, snow was soft and skied great. Light rime crust at lower elevations didn't have a huge effect on ski quality.

Snowpack

Pit at 3150' on SSW aspect, angle 23*. Total snow dept @ pit location: 190cm
Results:
ECTN 4, CT 12, down 10 cm
CT 15, down 25 cm

Snow was right side up, Fist to four finger on top 30 cm, and 1 finger hardness on remaining 100cm.

Photos & Video
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