Observation: Turnagain

Location: Tincan

Date:

January 28, 2020 5:35pm

Observer:

Aleph Johnston-Bloom Forecaster

Route & General Observations

Standard uptrack to 3000′. Looking at new snow/old snow interface, wind effect and if there is a slab.

The facets and surface hoar that were buried by the MLK jr storm are the main concern for next storm with more snow load, wind and warming temperatures. This layer has the potential to be reactive with a more developed slab.

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)?	Yes

Observer Comments

One avalanche on Seattle Ridge and some fresh debris in few of the gullies. There was also some natural sluffing in steep terrain. There was a lot of cracking and "slumping" where the new snow looked to have cracked and almost slid but wasn't quite cohesive enough. The top couple inches were just slightly stiffer than the snow below.

Weather & Snow Characteristics

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

Weather

Mostly cloudy with a window of visibility between 10 -12ish.
Light snow starting around 12:30
Light east winds
Temperature was -1°F at the truck to start and 13° when we ended. In the single digits in the Alpine.

Snow surface

10-12" of new snow.
Slight wind effect starting at 2000'
Noticeable wind crust @ 3000'

Snowpack

See photos.
Hand pits failed consistently on the MLK jr buried facet/surface hoar layer at 1350', 1700', 2000'.
This same layer was reactive in stability tests at 2500'. ECTP 21 and CT 16, CT 17.
There was also results on the new snow/old snow interface at 2500' CT 13, CT 14, ECTP 19.
The slab was still fairly soft. Needs to be more cohesive. Warm temps and more load tomorrow might tip the balance.
While traveling cracking was very localized and not shooting out from the skis. Ski cutting steep rolls didn't produce.

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.