Today’s bright sunny skies provided good viewing of the recent avalanche
activity from 4/18-4/20.
2-6′ deep and 50-250′ wide wet slabs and glide avalanches were widespread on E,S and W
facing slopes the past few days – most active was 4/18 (see photos below).
Today, April 20th: one glide released on east facing Seattle Rg. and one large
wet slab/glide on east facing Raggedtop (Girdwood Valley).
Dry slabs are still popping: a couple pockets pulled out on north facing Tincan and
another was seen yesterday on a west facing mid elevation slope (2500′) in upper
center creek drainage. Buried surface hoar may be a contributor. Also shallow
wet slabs were seen from the new 4/16 snow running on a crust.
Summit lake east and south faces are peeling off similar to Seattle Ridge.
Weather today was sunny with a few high clouds and warm (~40 on ridges) with a light
east breeze.
Riding conditions: Supportable 4-5″ crust to 4000′ that softened with daytime
heating and sun. found dry settled powder above 3500′ on north. Shallow areas
are punchy and rotten. There is still wet snow below the crust on south and
lower elevations and dry snow below crust at the higher elevations.
Gide avalanche overrunning parts of the Seattle Ridge "up-track" (released 4/18-4/19)
Glide avalanche that released April 20th and ran into the flats on the east side of Seattle Ridge
Slab avalanche likely from 4/18 (possible buried surface hoar) West facing, 2500' in upper Center Creek drainage
Tincan slab avalanches from 4/18 (suspected failure on buried surface hoar)
Summit Lake area: wet slab with significant propagation, released likely on 4/18