Observation: Turnagain

Location: Tincan

Date:

February 6, 2015 12:00

Observer:

Fitzgerald/Wagner Professional

Route & General Observations

Route
Tincan-Todd’s Run

Weather
Wind: CALM on Turnagain Pass! We observed plumes off of higher peaks around
Girdwood and Twentymile/Portage Valleys in the morning-winds there were out of
the North.
Sky: Clear
Temps: single digits in valleys, teens F at ridgetops
Precip: none

Obvious Signs Of Instability
Recent Avalanches-NO
Cracking-NO
Collapsing-NO

Snowpack Observations
2-3” of snow available for transport above treeline comprised mainly of near surface facets.
Surface Hoar is mostly found in the lower elevations, with pockets above
treeline. Surface hoar is massive in select locations, up to 8cm (see photos)
Skier triggered sluffing occurred in terrain over 40 deg. Volume was low and
speed was slow. Sluff terminated once slope angle lessened to 35 degrees.
No recent glide releases observed today.

Photos & Video

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Wind in mountainous terrain is not straightforward. Pictured here are plumes coming off a peak above Twentymile from North winds. The wind anemometer at sea level shows winds out of the South.

Light plumes coming off of Goat Mt. (~6,000') North winds impacted the higher elevations today, Turnagain Pass was spared

Cold temps over the past week have helped to provide a solid freeze of creeks on all aproaches

Giant surface hoar, in the 5-8cm range found in a meadow around 1,800'.

Glide cracks below Common Bowl, no recent releases observed today.

Location

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