Observation: Turnagain

Location: Taylor Pass

Date:
Observer:
Route & General Observations

Toured around Taylor Pass and Pastoral Glacier. Snow line was around 1800’, melt freeze crust transitioned into dry snow on shaded aspects at 3000’. There was widespread surface hoar in protected areas. Glide avalanches galore on all aspects and elevations except the highest north faces.

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 observed a natural D3 windslab on the NE face of Pastoral Pk. It ripped out three cross-loaded gullies near the summit and deposited debris past the toe of Pastoral glacier. Similar windslab avalanches were visible in the high elevations of Lyon Creek on cross-loaded aspects. All slides appeared to be days old.

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

Widespread 2mm surface hoar in protected areas. A supportable melt freeze crust capped the snowpack until around 3000’, where it became unsupportable on solar aspects and dry powder/windslab on shaded aspects.

Snowpack

2900’ WNW Aspect, Taylor Pass
-50cm of right side up precipitation particles. There was a 3cm layer of loose melt freeze grains at the ground. No facets present. No propagating ECT results.

3700’ NW Aspect, Pastoral Glacier
-80 cm of right side up precipitation particles. A minor density change 30cm below the surface produced energetic ECTN results. No facets present.

Photos & Video
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