Observation: Turnagain

Location: Iditarod trail NE. from Center Ridge PL.

Date:

December 9, 2017 3:00pm

Observer:

Joe Kurtak, Anchorage Nordic Ski Patrol

Route & General Observations

Skied Iditarod Trail NE from Center Ridge PL for 3 miles. Did quick pit on NE-facing aspect of unnamed creek S. of Eddies Mtn 1325 ft..

Red Flags

Red flags are simple visual clues that are a sign of potential avalanche danger. Please record any sign of red flags below.

Obvious signs of instability

Recent Avalanches?	No
Collapsing (Whumphing)?	Yes
Cracking (Shooting cracks)?	Yes

Observer Comments

Observed whumpfing of snowpack along trail N. of Tincan uptrack. Ski cuts resulted in shooting cracks and slab breaks on steep rollovers near trail. (pic) Some to 25cm from ground. Others to ground. Observed what looked like a recent? avalanche on SE-facing slope of Seattle Ridge (pic. Observed what looked like a recent? fracture line between CFR Ridge and first drop, but low clouds made visibility difficult.

Weather & Snow Characteristics

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Weather

Overcast with calm winds. at 12:51@ 1325 FT, TEMP = 3.3C. Sprinkles in pm.

Snow surface

Water saturated snowpack going isothermal. Boot penetration to ground (50cm).

Snowpack

Snowpack going isothermal during our tour. Quick pit on NE facing slope of unnamed stream on S. side Eddies Mtn at 1325ft. Quick pit: 50-45cm=Fist slush; 45-30cm=1Fclustered rnds;30-25cm,4Fclstered rnds; 25-0cm=coarse rnded coarse facets. Stability tests; STM@Q2@45cm; STMQ3@15cm; CT12togrnd; ECTN12togrnd.

Photos & Video

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Recent? Avalanche in gully on SE-facing slope of Seattle Ridge.

Ski cut slab breaks along Iditarod Trail.

Location

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