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 5 images | REGION: TurnagainObserver: W. WagnerDate: Apr 17th, 2014 Location: Seattle Ridge (with map) Observation: A journey to Seattle Ridge weather station to calibrate the wind direction. Weather: Mostly sunny with very light and variable winds. Temperatures in the low 30F range. Warm. Clouds stating to build by late in the day to the South. Signs of instability: Warm temperatures today but didn't see any sign of fresh wet loose avalanche activity. No other signs of instability noted. Surface co >>>> see observation for complete description View Complete |
 3 images | REGION: TurnagainObserver: FitzgeraldDate: Apr 16th, 2014 Location: Sunburst Observation: Weather Overcast, occasional breaks Mild temps: 11am—37F @ 1,000’ 2pm—42F @ 1,000’ Light winds, localized out of the North 5-10mph no precip Obvious Signs of Instability Recent Avalanches-no Cracking-no Collapsing-no Surface obs A trace of snow above 2,500’ sits on West through North aspects. A soft crust (refreeze from overnight on 4/15) sits below this skiff of new sn >>>> see observation for complete description View Complete |
 1 image | REGION: TurnagainObserver: Public ObserverDate: Apr 13th, 2014 Location: Tincan (with map) Observation: Time: 1220 - 1900 Route: Northeast from the parking lot below the base of Tincan to a northern aspect. Up to 2000' - treeline - on that Northern aspect, then retracing our uptrack down. Following that, up to 2300' and down a NE aspect to the parking lot. Weather: Temperatures 32-40f throughout the day, with the sky generally overcast (occasionally obscured). Winds were from the no >>>> see observation for complete description View Complete |
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| REGION: TurnagainObserver: Public ObserverDate: Apr 9th, 2014 Location: Sunburst Observation: Saw some sluffing on other skier tracks - Usually at steeper roll-overs. Skied the West and North aspects from the top to the trees. New snow was generally getting denser as the day progressed, but not getting wet. (I can't comment on south aspects) Slight breeze, no clouds. View Complete |
 4 images | REGION: TurnagainObserver: W. WagnerDate: Apr 8th, 2014 Location: Sunburst (with map) Observation: Weather: Mostly obscured skies with the sun trying to break though now and again. Snowing lightly intermittently. Around 1cm accumulation during the afternoon. Temperatures around 20F. Winds were calm. Signs of instability: It was easy to initiate sluffs on steeper slopes - approaching 40 deg. No slab activity was seen, only minimal, low volume and slow moving point releases. See video. No c >>>> see observation for complete description View Complete |
 4 images | REGION: TurnagainObserver: W. WagnerDate: Apr 7th, 2014 Location: Portage and Turnagain Pass Road-Obs (with map) Observation: With three consecutive days of warm temperatures, cloud cover and little to no overnight re-freeze, the snow is beginning to melt out in earnest in shallow zones at all elevations. Weather today: Partly cloudy skies with temperature at 1,000' in the uppper 30's. Winds were calm along the Pass. The only sign of avalanche activity were a few small wet loose slides in the Portage Valley where >>>> see observation for complete description View Complete |
 2 images | REGION: TurnagainObserver: FitzgeraldDate: Apr 6th, 2014 Location: Cornbiscuit Observation: Weather Mostly cloudy (see photo 2) Warm temps ranging from 30-40 degrees F Light winds out of the East Zero precip Obvious Signs of Instability Recent Avalanches- yes, very low volume wet loose (natural) on N side of Sunburst (see photo 1) Collapsing-no Cracking-no Snowpack Obs Snow surface between 1,000’-2,500’ becoming unsupportable during the day due to warming A dusting o >>>> see observation for complete description View Complete |
 1 image | REGION: TurnagainObserver: W. WagnerDate: Apr 5th, 2014 Location: Twin Peaks area (with map) Observation: Weather: Intermittent light snowfall during day. Low clouds, ceiling around 4,000'. Light Easterly breeze on ridge and temperatures in the mid 20's at 3,000' and 45F at the parking lot at 500'. Signs of instability: Recent warming. Snow surface becoming damp and at elevations below 1,500' soggy and unsupportable. Snow surface conditions: 1cm (<.5 inch) of new snow. The surface is quite v >>>> see observation for complete description View Complete |
 1 image | REGION: TurnagainObserver: Public ObserverDate: Apr 4th, 2014 Location: Eddies (with map) Observation: Route: Eddies west aspect Weather: Highs were in the upper 20's to upper 30'sF throughout the day with an overcast sky and light snowfall. Total snow accumulation less than 1". Profile dug 116cm down at 1300' on west aspect. Near surface faceting and large surface hoar near surface (interesting small crust layer atop the surface hoar). 50cm down faceting appears to be occurring at melt- >>>> see observation for complete description View Complete |
 1 image | REGION: TurnagainObserver: Public ObserverDate: Apr 4th, 2014 Location: Tincan Observation: Info from pit profile View Complete |
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| REGION: TurnagainObserver: Public ObserverDate: Apr 4th, 2014 Location: Taylor Pass/Pastoral (with map) Observation: Time: 1045 - 1745 Route: Sunburst lot through Taylor Pass, then up a northern aspect of Pastoral to 3800', retracing our route on the way back. Weather: 28-40 degrees f throughout the day, with an overcast sky that frequently obscured the taller mountain peaks in the region. Coupled with light snowfall, visibility was often limited, particularly at higher elevations. Winds direc >>>> see observation for complete description View Complete |
 1 image | REGION: TurnagainObserver: Public ObserverDate: Apr 4th, 2014 Location: Tincan (with map) Observation: Dug pit as part of APU snow science class. Failures in compression tests at 163 cm were just above the melt-freeze crust where we observed some faceting. View Complete |
 4 images | REGION: SummitObserver: FitzgeraldDate: Apr 4th, 2014 Location: Butcher Mt Observation: Weather Mostly cloudy Temps in the low to mid 30s F Calm to light winds out of the East No precip Obvious Signs Of Instability 1 skier triggered dry sluff, initiated in upper 30 degree terrain, ran ~300 vertical, slow moving, low to medium volume Cracking-no Collapsing-no Snowpack obs Surfaces that had not gotten direct sun over the past 2 and a half weeks were holding 3-10” of f >>>> see observation for complete description View Complete |
 2 images | REGION: GirdwoodObserver: FitzgeraldDate: Apr 3rd, 2014 Location: Crow Creek Road area Observation: Weather Clear skies becoming partly cloudy by 3pm (photo 1) Calm winds with occasional light gusts Temps ranging between 20-30 deg F Recent Avalanches-no Cracking-no Collapsing-no North aspects harboring 5-10cm of faceted snow. 1cm surface hoar observed in pockets in sheltered locations. (photo 2) No sluffing in terrain up to 40 degrees South, East & West aspects softening after s >>>> see observation for complete description View Complete |
 3 images | REGION: TurnagainObserver: FitzgeraldDate: Apr 1st, 2014 Location: Lyon Cr (with map) Observation: Weather Clear skies, zero wind, temps between 15-25 deg F Surface Obs It was another quiet day in avalanche terrain. Cornices still loom above many starting zones (photo 1). Loose snow sluffing (dry) was minimal in terrain over 45 degrees. Below this slope angle no snow was moving. Variable conditions exist on differing aspects. Ridge lines are a great place to get a feel for th >>>> see observation for complete description View Complete |
 5 images | REGION: Other - Outside Advisory AreaObserver: G. PredegerOverflight of WSA boundary Date: Mar 31st, 2014 Location: Whittier - Nellie Juan Lake (with map) Observation: Took the opportunity for an overflight of the CNF Wilderness Study Area (WSA) boundary on a beautiful cloudless day. Route: Girdwood -> Whittier -> South to Nellie Juan Lake -> Return to Girdwood. The lack of snow across the zone is quite evident from the air. Crevasses are an obvious hazard in many glaciated areas south of Whittier where a year ago these areas had the look of a smoot >>>> see observation for complete description View Complete |
 4 images | REGION: TurnagainObserver: W. Wagner, K. JohnstonDate: Mar 31st, 2014 Location: Portage Valley - Baird Peak area (with map) Observation: Weather: Sunny, warm and a light Westerly breeze in the exposed upper elevations and ridge top. Temperatures in the 20'sF. Signs of instability: None. NO recent avalanches, cracking or collapsing. Snow surface conditions: Shady northerlies - 2-6" of loose faceting snow sits on gradually harder old snow. There are still hard wind crusts and slabs among the soft snow to negotiate however. >>>> see observation for complete description View Complete |
 2 images | REGION: TurnagainObserver: G. PredegerDate: Mar 30th, 2014 Location: Lynx Creek (with map) Observation: Route: Johnson Pass trailhead into Lynx Creek drainage and traveled up to 4400’. Weather: Bright sunny skies and calm winds Temps in the mid-30’s F No obvious signs of instability. Surface Conditions: North-facing terrain is harboring soft snow in the form of recycled powder above treeline. West and east aspects are quite variable with anything from wind scoured, soft snow or a >>>> see observation for complete description View Complete |
 3 images | REGION: GirdwoodObserver: W. WagnerDate: Mar 29th, 2014 Location: Upper Girdwood Valley Observation: Weather: Clear, calm and downright hot in the sun. Temperatures in the shade were around 20F. Signs of instability: Naturally occurring pieces of rime and loose snow low volume sluffing in steep terrain being warmed by the sun - see video. Also, loose dry snow sluffs were able to be triggered on steep northerly aspects harboring several inches of faceting surface snow. Typical springtime i >>>> see observation for complete description View Complete |
 1 image | REGION: TurnagainObserver: Public ObserverDate: Mar 29th, 2014 Location: Eddies (with map) Observation: Route: Lower Eddies parking lot to the base of Eddies, then up a generally NW aspect to 2450'. Down on North to Northwest aspects. Weather: Temps between 30-40, mostly clear with a few high clouds. Calm in the morning, with a steady east wind picking up to 5 mph above treeline by the late afternoon. Snowpack: Surface hoar was present on any slightly north facing aspect, below and abo >>>> see observation for complete description View Complete |
 5 images | REGION: TurnagainObserver: Public ObserverDate: Mar 29th, 2014 Location: Magnum / Turnagain Pass (with map) Observation: Skinned up Magnum yesterday (3/28) and there is evidence of cornice calving, exactly as predicted in the Avalanche Advisory. The chunks that have broken off left impressions of about 2 feet deep in the snow pack but didn't trigger any avalanches nor were there any other signs of instability. Snowpack has a frozen top layer on the South/East facing aspects at the lower elevations, up to about 2000- >>>> see observation for complete description View Complete |
 1 image | REGION: TurnagainObserver: Public ObserverDate: Mar 29th, 2014 Location: Wolverine ridge (with map) Observation: Given growing concerns over cornices thought you might like this pic from wolverine ridge from last weekend (3/22). View Complete |
 2 images | REGION: TurnagainObserver: FitzgeraldDate: Mar 28th, 2014 Location: (with map) Observation: Sunburst Weather Station via Taylor Pass Weather: Clear skies Temps ranging between 20s and mid 30s F calm winds Obvious Signs of Instability Recent Avalanches-no Collapsing-no Cracking-no Surface Obs Solar aspects got sufficient heat to loosen the surface snow today. SW aspect was “corn” by 4 pm. Able to produce very low volume slow moving wet sluffs on steeper sunlit slop >>>> see observation for complete description View Complete |
 2 images | REGION: TurnagainObserver: Public ObserverDate: Mar 28th, 2014 Location: (with map) Observation: APU class field day at Tincan-see pit profile. View Complete |
 2 images | REGION: TurnagainObserver: Public ObserverDate: Mar 28th, 2014 Location: Tincan (with map) Observation: Signs of Instability: None Elevation:1,200' Aspect:260 Slope Angle: 34 Practiced multiple beacon tests and dug full study pits at the base of the trees. View Complete |
 1 image | REGION: TurnagainObserver: Public ObserverDate: Mar 28th, 2014 Location: Tincan (with map) Observation: Tincan NNW 1050 ft Snow pit in photo below View Complete |
 3 images | REGION: SummitObserver: Katie JohnstonDate: Mar 28th, 2014 Location: Tenderfoot Ridge (with map) Observation: Route: Traveled from 1300ft to 3800ft on Tenderfoot Ridge Weather: Sunny skies and calm winds Temps in the high 20s F No signs of Instability Surface Conditions: Variable There are some sheltered locations still harboring soft snow, however, many places are now either wind scoured or have supportable crusts from sun exposure. In the locations we traveled, wide spread surface hoa >>>> see observation for complete description View Complete |
 1 image | REGION: SummitObserver: Public ObserverDate: Mar 28th, 2014 Location: Summit Pass, Nancy's (with map) Observation: The cornices are starting to peel. My partner punched through up to his armpits on the large corniced north ridge of Nancy's in Summit Pass. View Complete |
 1 image | REGION: GirdwoodObserver: Public ObserverDate: Mar 24th, 2014 Location: Peterson Headwall (with map) Observation: Yesterday my partner and I took a heli bump to the top of peterson headwall. Both of us have been there many times and knew the terrain very well. The plan was to ski a few different lines such as the "Jim Black" spines and possibly the "Shoulder of Death" depending on the snow conditions. We had been touring Turnagain all last week so our confidence was high that the snow would be very simil >>>> see observation for complete description View Complete |
 5 images | REGION: TurnagainObserver: Public ObserverDate: Mar 24th, 2014 Location: Byron Glacier, Portage Valley (with map) Observation: On a hike towards Byron Glacier I noticed these Northwest slopes had substantial avalanche debris piles in their runout zones. Cornice fall is the culprit for releasing these slabs and large chunks were still intact at the avalanches toe. Weather was clear & sunny, light breeze with 40 degrees F. Last photo is of professionals testing their equipment.... View Complete |
 4 images | REGION: TurnagainObserver: W. WagnerDate: Mar 24th, 2014 Location: Lynx Creek Drainage (with map) Observation: Weather: Sunny and warm. Temperatures in the 20'sF and a slight Southeasterly breeze on the ridge. Signs of instability: None Surface conditions: Soft settled snow in sheltered north, east and westerly aspects. The sun seemed to only get to the steeper southerly slopes and the wind has damaged many exposed locations. Snowpack obs: We dug one pit on a westerly aspect at 3,000' next to >>>> see observation for complete description View Complete |
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| REGION: TurnagainObserver: Public ObserverDate: Mar 23rd, 2014 Location: Pastoral Peak Observation: Route: Sunburst parking lot - Taylor Creek - head wall - Pastoral Recent avalanche activity: No Weather: Sunny and blue skies. Morning breeze through Taylor Creek in the morning, light breeze on the glacier on Pastoral. Calm on the top. Snow conditions: Variable. Wind affected on Pastoral. Boot pack on hard, hollow windslab the last portion up to the top. We skied one of the N facing >>>> see observation for complete description View Complete |
 2 images | REGION: GirdwoodObserver: Public ObserverDate: Mar 23rd, 2014 Location: Peterson Creek (with map) Observation: Touring up Peterson Creek today intending on skiing Low Bush, we had to stop our tour around 1200hrs when the LifeFlight helicopter buzzed us and landed roughly 1/4mile from our location. We then saw a skier ski down to the chopper and waive us over. Unbeknownst to us, a party of 2 got a bump up to the top of Peterson Headwall earlier that morning, and the first snowboarder to drop in lost his >>>> see observation for complete description View Complete |
 4 images | REGION: TurnagainObserver: FitzgeraldDate: Mar 23rd, 2014 Location: Twin Peaks (with map) Observation: Obvious Signs Of Instability Recent Avalanches-no Cracking-no Collapsing-no Weather Mild, temps in the low 30s F Clear skies calm wind Surface Obs 4-6” wind slab in exposed areas above 1,500’. This slab was non reactive. Sheltered locations are holding 2-4” of light density snow. Old debris piles from March 14th cycle are large (see photos) Snow below the surface 1 pi >>>> see observation for complete description View Complete |
 4 images | REGION: TurnagainObserver: K. Johnston, W. WagnerDate: Mar 22nd, 2014 Location: Sunburst and Pastoral Area (with map) Observation: Route: Traveled up to Taylor pass, up Sunburst Ridge to the weather station, and then into the Pastoral Peak area and skied down into the Lion Creek drainage. Weather: Sunny, not a cloud in the sky Temps in the high teens Calm winds No signs of Instability Surface Conditions: Variable There is soft surface snow in many places, however, steep south aspects now have sun crusts and ma >>>> see observation for complete description View Complete |
 3 images | REGION: SummitObserver: Katie JohnstonDate: Mar 21st, 2014 Location: Raven Ridge (with map) Observation: Route: Traveled from 1200ft to 3500ft on Raven Ridge Weather: Sunny skies, temps in the low 20s F, and moderate to gusty winds at the ridge crest. Minor blowing snow at ridges No signs of Instability Surface Conditions: Some alder bashing required to get above treeline. Mostly soft surface snow with a thin 2-4mm layer of surface hoar forming on the surface. At elevations below 1600 >>>> see observation for complete description View Complete |
 2 images | REGION: TurnagainObserver: Public ObserverDate: Mar 20th, 2014 Location: pastoral bowl, see pics attached (with map) Observation: no fresh observed avy activity, no whoomphing or shooting cracks, no new snow. steady wind up high maybe 10-15 with visible and consistent snow transport. My tracks were filled within 1-2 hours. This was a fresh windslab. the deepest crown appeared to be about 1-1.5ft. I would estimate about 75ft across for both pockets combined. I did not go back and examine. The Right portion >>>> see observation for complete description View Complete |
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