Observation: Turnagain

Toured up Sunburst for a closer look at the pack above 3000′. Weather was warm,
breezy and clouds were in and out making for difficult travel above treeline.
New snow from 4/15-16: 2″ very wet snow around 2000′, 8-10″ wet snow above 3000′.

Conditions can be summed up in two words: sloppy mess! (extremely hard to
ski)

Avalanche obs:
Widespread shallow point release avalanches came down within the new 2-10″ of
snow between 4/16-17.

North facing Tincan (~2500) – two slabs 150-200ft wide, 1-2ft deep
releasing mid-slope. Thought to be buried surface hoar triggered by wet loose
sluffs from 4/15-16 new snow.

Sunny east side of Seattle Ridge – wet slabs and glide avalanches. Glide cracks
everywhere. Debris piles are estimated at 3-10ft deep (possibly more) and slides
are running full path till the slope angle lessons. Crowns on the wet slabs look
to range from 2-5ft deep – ugly.

The snowpack is VERY wet and unconsolidated on south, east and west aspects
below 3500′. We did not get above 3500′, however these conditions are likely
present to the peaks. Aspects with a northerly tilt are sloppy as well below
2500′ while above 2500′, though damp, still have dryer snow below the surface
and are more supportable.

Kool-aid test to see how free water is flowing in pack around 3000′ (see photo).