Observation: Turnagain

Field Observations
Jan.11, 2015

Route
Tincan to 3400ft

Weather
Temps: 37*F at parking lot and 31*Fat 3400ft
Wind: Northeast, 10-20mph
Sky: Partly cloudy
Precip: None

Obvious Signs Of Instability
Recent Avalanches-YES – Recent glide avalanches on East face of Seattle and South face of Eddies
Shooting Cracks-NO
Collapsing – NO

Surface Obs –
1000′: 1″ crust on 8″ moist snow on flat area below Tincan parking – mostly supportable
1000-1600′: In areas not compacted by skiers, surface had a 0.5cm crust with moist rounded snow below.
1600′ – 2000: 1-2″ Breakable crust on moist rounds. Pretty terrible skiing conditions.
2000 – 2700′: 2″ supportable crust on firm moist snow below
2700′: 4″ curst with melt freeze on ice lens on melt freeze. Could see places where rain percolated through
snow. Very supportable!
3000′ – 3400′: 1cm ice crust w/ dry dense snow below. Very supportable!

Snow Below the Surface:
Pit at 2100′, SW aspect, HS=70cm. 5cm melt/freeze crust on surface. Below was mostly moist rounds with
several layers of melt/freeze crust still intact. A temperature profile from the ground up (0C to -1.75C to
-1.5C at the surface) Air temp was -0.5 in the sun.

-Evidence of several recent glide avalanches on E face of Seattle Ridge and S face of Eddies (1500′ – 2700′)
-Lots of glide cracks opening or getting larger in recent days. Seem to be on all aspects and elevation
between 1400′ – 3000′ See Glide Obs for Jan.11, 2015 for more photos.