Gusty afternoon easterly winds began transporting snow along the ridgeline an onto leeward slopes.
Otherwise no red flags seen.
Observation: Turnagain
Location: Seattle Ridge, Repeat Offender slide path
Tour up to Seattle Ridge and took a look at the current conditions on the repeat offender slide path.
Observer Comments
Weather
Overcast skies, cold temperatures (~10F) and light west winds until 2pm when the wind switched to easterly and began to increase.
No precipitation.
Snow surface
Around 4" of new low density snow from overnight. Became wind affected along ridgeline.
Snowpack
We found a stable snowpack in the area we traveled. Between 2,200' and 2,500' the top 15" was very loose snow (great skiing). Under this was another 15-17" of stiffer snow (4 finger to 1 finger). This all sat on a hard melt freeze crust over the ground around a foot thick. No weakness was seen in the snow above the crust. Dug 2 pits:
Pit #1 @ 2,200' East facing, 20 deg slope, snow depth 120cm (3.5 ft)
ECTN 13 and 11 on the Solstice buried surface hoar which was intermixed with preserved stellar crystals. Layer was 40cm (15") deep.
Pit #2 @ 2,400' East facing, 34 deg slope, snow depth 145cm (4.5 ft)
ECTN 9 and 11, CT 9 on same layer, Solstice buried surface hoar which was intermixed with preserved stellar crystals
Snow pit from 2,400 ft on the Repeat Offender slide path itself
Easterly winds transporting snow along Seattle Ridge in the early afternoon.
Looking down over the Seward Highway and Turnagain Pass
Looking into Zero Bowl (Mama's Bowl)
Also looking at Zero Bowl and the cornice that sits at the top of the up-track
Big thanks to Eric Roberts for being a field partner today!