Wind loading but very limited AST (available snow for transport).
Observation: Turnagain
Location: Taylor Pass
Toured to Taylor Pass (3250′) from the Sunburst parking lot. Very firm travel conditions and flat light.
No new glide avalanches observed or reported in the Turngain Pass area but at least 3 new observed along Bird flats and Girdwood flats from Seward Highway.
Observer Comments
Weather
Overcast
ENE winds were moderate, gusty and being channeled over the pass.
Temps in the high 20Fs
No precip
Snow surface
1000-3000' Supportable MF crust
3000-3200' Supportable MF crust with 1-10 cm of wind blown snow
On our ski down below 1800' was starting to soften slightly and it was easy to punch through with a pole 1200' and below. Last night was the hardest freeze of the week.
Snowpack
The crust was deeper and more supportable that the past few days. It still extends to over 3000'.
There is still a winter snowpack below the crust above 2500'.
Dug a quick pit @ 3100', NW aspect, 25 degree slope. 25 cm wind slab over a 20 cm MF crust with pencil hard wind compacted rounds below. Pit depth 60 cm. No tests performed.
Slope cutting produced 2-4" wind slab on steep roller. Obvious wind loading during tour but not very much snow available for transport.
Watching how any new snow bonds to the surface crust will be crucial if we receive new snow.
If we get a significant rain event or rapid warming in the Alpine it will be important to pay attention to how the winter snowpack reacts to free water decreasing strength.
Surface conditions and sky cover
Frozen surface imprints
Skier triggered mini wind slab
Another view of mini wind slab
Seattle Ridge glide avalanche carnage from Taylor Creek drainage