Some whumphing in the Willow and Alder gardens.
Observation: Portage / Placer
Location: Placer River valley
Seward Highway to Leubner Lake in anticipation of a Wednesday motorized opener (Placer Valley).
Observer Comments
Weather
15 degrees F. Light winds. Snowing less than 1cm/ hr all day. 18-20" new snow since Friday afternoon.
Snow surface
Blower powder. The stuff dreams are made of, and we're talking about sea level... Finally!
Snowpack
18-20" new storm snow is settling out. There is a very distinct ice lens in the mid-pack that you can feel under your sled or walking. It's almost supportable to walk on but then will give way and you'll punch thru to the ground. Below the ice crust, this low elevation (sea level) snowpack is a smorgasbord of decomposing crusts and moist facets. ECTP21 about 10cm above ice crust. Likely a slight density/ temperature change as the storm got going Friday night.
125cm average depth.
Test pit, just off the Placer River. Flat meadow.
ECTP21 failed and propagated just above the very distinct ice lens.
2017 Loaner sled courtesy of AK Mining and Diving/ Ski Doo.
Portage Valley plowing. Perhaps the winner with ~2 feet of storm snow since Friday!