Field Observations
Dec.8, 2014
Route
Road observations from Turnagain Pass and Summit Lake
Weather @ Turnagain Pass (1000ft)
Temps in high 30’s F
Winds were light to moderate
Visibility good to about 3500ft
Raining moderate to heavy
Obvious Signs of Instability
Recent Avalanches – Yes (we saw predominantly wet loose avalanches, two were shallow wet slabs)
– Natural D2 wet slab on the western leeward aspect of Lipps at about 2800ft (photo)
– Natural D2 wet slab on southwestern cross-loaded aspect of Pete’s South 2500ft elevation (photo)
– Widespread D1 to D2 wet loose avalanches initiating between 2,000′ and 3,000′ on all aspects throughout Turnagain Pass.
– Some D1 – D2 wet loose avalanches in Summit Lake (near Seward.)
Shooting Cracks – N/A
Collapsing-N/A
Surface Obs
@1000ft – 2″ of wet snow with standing water, creeks are open, lots of running water in drainages (photo)
Photos: Heather Thamm
Video: Weather conditions at 800′, about a mile north of Turnagain Pass proper. Watch at your own risk – rated “R” for….. well you can guess…
Wet / wind slab on the West face of Lipps Ridge. (~2,800')
One more wet slab mid-slope on the South face of Pete's South Ridge. (~2,500')
Loose snow avalanches on the SW side of Tincan's CRF ridgeline. (~2,500')
Tincan approach from the parking lot - grim....