No obvious signs of instability during tour. Widespread small, soft, shallow wind slabs on west aspects, but no obvious whumping or shooting cracks observed. LOTS of glide cracks along Seattle Ridge, Eddies (south), and Sharkfin (south) observed from road. No new glide releases observed during the day.
Observation: Turnagain
Location: Tincan
Anchorage Nordic Ski Patrol toured from the Center Ridge parking lot to the Tincan weather station. We dug numerous hand pits along the way with an emphasis on evaluating development of wind slabs in the mid elevation band. No obvious signs of instability were observed. Fun skiing conditions.
Observer Comments
Weather
Overcast with intermittent periods of valley fog. Light to moderate winds at road level up to 2200'. Light flurries for about an hour starting at 1:15pm - no noticeable accumulation.
Snow surface
8-10" of soft snow in wind sheltered areas. Widespread pockets of shallow wind effected snow on west aspects near treeline.
Snowpack
Ski penetration 8-10". generally soft "right side up" snow on top of noticeably denser snow about 1.5 - 2' from surface. This snow density change was noticed in numerous hand pits. We did not determine the specific weak layer. Moderate pressure was required to separate the upper slab from the denser snow below.
Photo of surface snow above dense snow in hand pits.