All Observations

Forecast Center Observation

Date2022-04-11
LocationValdez
Observerizzy lazarus
AvalancheN

General Observations

Stairway Area - 4100' - NE  ECT P 18 - down 50cm on 1-2mm facets - Sudden planar ECT P 19 - down 50cm on 1-2mm facets  - Sudden planar

 
Date2022-04-11
LocationValdez
ObserverJoshua McDonald
AvalancheN

General Observations

Area 51: The 2-3 feet of wet snow that fell last week has dried out considerably and formed a several centimeter granular/breakable Crust on all aspects up to at least 2300ft. Soft snow with no crust was found on an Eastern aspect at 2300ft.  Minimal slabs observed at lower elevation with the exception of the…

 
Date2022-04-11
LocationValdez
ObserverJeremy Wood
AvalancheN

General Observations

Left road at 11 AM with intent to hike up 40.5 mile wall.  Wind increasing by 12 with active pluming and snow transport in the mids.  Turned around at 3200 feet on west facing aspect due to concern about reactive windslab, and on way down first rider ski cut produced D2 slab between 1'-3' thick.…

 
Date2022-04-10
LocationValdez
ObserverKurt Blair and Carlos Romero
AvalancheN

General Observations

We were curious on how the last storm cycle was bonding over the buried surface hoar on NW-NE aspects above 3,000ft. We decided to skin up to Crudbusters taking a non-traditional approach to get to representative slopes unaffected by skiers. We dug a pit down 120cm at 3,458ft(1054m) on a NW aspect. Results were CT17…

 
Date2022-04-09
LocationValdez
ObserverCarlos Romero
AvalancheN

General Observations

Toured up the shoulder to Skate Park. Along the way observed crowns from storm slabs on NE shots from Little Girls. On the approach, dug a quick pit before it got steeper at 4179ft (1247m) on a 31degree SE slope. CT22 Q2 on the new snow, sun crust interface. At the entrance to Skate Park…

 
Date2022-04-07
LocationValdez
ObserverJoshua McDonald
AvalancheN

General Observations

Catchers mitt to 3500ft: New snow depth in protected area was 60cm deep, stiff windblown powder. Widespread softslab to 3 ft thick.  Rollovers/windlips where easily triggered with 2-3 stomps on one ski. Easy to moderate shear. Moderate propagation.  NW slopes: windloaded during storm. Softslabs 1 to 3+ft thick.  SE-SW slopes Active windloading during ski tour.…

 
Date2022-04-06
LocationValdez
ObserverJosh McDonald
AvalancheN

General Observations

Port valdez, Dayville trees: 30cm new snow at road 50 cm new snow at 450ft 80cm new snow at 700ft Snowfall rates 3+cm per hour. Loose snow avalanches D1+ Snow under new snow becoming isothermic. 

 
Date2022-04-04
LocationValdez
ObserverLisa Van Sciver
AvalancheN

General Observations

We toured into the basin to the west of Crud Busters and observed widespread 3-6mm surface hoar on the surface between 3,000 to 5,000 feet. At 4,000 feet on a northeasterly aspect, we dug two pits in close location to each other and found buried surface hoar 50cm down. In an extended column test, there…

 
Date2022-04-02
LocationValdez
ObserverJoshua McDonald
AvalancheN

General Observations

Crudbusters @4000' T -7c, calm to light winds 1-2 mm surface hoar mixed with dendrites.  Surface hoar on skin track.  Bpen 20 to 25 cm Surface snow was undisturbed  and uniform other than previous ski tracks. No Surface slab present.  Pit on 33deg slope: New snow unreactive CT 25 @ 45cm -rough shear  CT 27…

 
Date2022-03-31
LocationValdez
ObserverSarah Ann Carter
AvalancheN

General Observations

Mar.31 partly cloudy/air temp 1C at Ptamigan drop/-2C at 4000'/calm/surface hoar to 2mm at surface on northerly aspects Only signs of instability we observed were wet loose avalanches to size 2 on rocky,  southerly steeps with direct solar input. On a NNE aspect above Tsaina River Valley at 4000', we found the surface hoar that…

 
Date2022-03-30
LocationValdez
ObserverSarah Carter
AvalancheN

General Observations

South Goodwills 1230-1530 clear sky, calm with light south wind at ridgeline, +2C at road/-6C at summit Moist surface below 2500', dry varied surfaces above 2500'. Wind affected and rimed above 4000'. Tried to get small pockets of windslab to move, but they didn't budge. No visible signs of instability except a few wet loose…

 
Date2022-03-29
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

3/29 Iguana Backs up to 5400’/ Clear /Calm Shooting cracks: No  Collapsing: No Avalanches: Yes several D2s observed across the valley on Three Pigs, south aspects MP 38-39.  Began as wet loose with some areas stepping down and causing slab avalanches. At low elevation, found dry-moist snow at the surface that became dry with elevation…

 
Date2022-03-24
LocationValdez
ObserverTrevor H
AvalancheN

General Observations

Toured up in the Thompson Pass Area (03/24) HST 25 cm @3300 N Asp HS 270 Wind: L to Mod E/SE. We performed some snowpack tests @2800 on a North Asp HS 165 Facets @45 cm to Ground (3mm). Our results are as listed CTE down 22 (progressive compression), CTM down 50 cm (1.5 mm…

 
Date2022-03-22
LocationValdez
ObserverSarah Ann Carter
AvalancheN

General Observations

Catcher Mitt Flats. 18F/strong NE wind/moderate to intense wind transport/clear sky Strong outflow wind was stripping ridgetops and building sastrugi through Thompson Pass today and yesterday. Steep gully walls were crossloading. About 5pm a snow kiter triggered a size 2 pocket of windslab on a west facing gully wall, lookers left of Schoolbus (MP 28).

 
Date2022-03-20
LocationValdez
ObserverJosh McDonald
AvalancheN

General Observations

Catchers mitt to 4000 ft. Temp: -7c Winds: E,NE 10 to 15mph Several old slides on typical lower solar aspects. Current conditions kept snow cold and dry even in the sun. Various surface slabs to 20+cm becoming consolidated with old snowpack. No reactivity in "quick pits" using shovel shear testing.  Snowpack felt firm and consolidated…

 
Date2022-03-19
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

Tsaina Valley northwest of hoodoo creek confluence up to 3600’  NE-SE/ Clear/ Calm  Shooting cracks: No Collapsing: No Avalanches: Yes, Old D1-2 natural wet loose off steep solar aspects. Found a trace of snow on a breakable melt freeze crust on southeast aspects up to 3600’.  On east through northeast found 15-20 cms of storm…

 
Date2022-03-10
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth
AvalancheN

General Observations

Cracked Ice 3/10 Billy Mitchell 3/11 On 3/10-3/11 found above freezing temps with moist snow at the surface below 3000’.  On Cracked Ice and Billy Mitchell found the 3/3 BSH to be rounding and un-reactive in stability tests and ski cuts below 3000’.  Continue to see poor structure with the November facets, although stability results…

 
Date2022-03-11
LocationValdez
ObserverJoshua McDonald
AvalancheN

General Observations

Cracked ice to 4000' Temps near freezing near road level, considerably colder up high. 4-5 inches light dry snow above alder line was being transported by S winds 10 to 15 mph.  Crossloading on mountain ridges/shoulders on E,W,N slopes.  Slabs on these slopes, from last week's winds, where being buried under new light snow. New…

 
Date2022-03-08
LocationValdez
ObserverC.Carman
AvalancheN

General Observations

Cracked Ice: around 4,000 ft. we triggered a surface hoar avalanche on a NW facing slope with approximately 45cm crown. Starting zone was not steep and slide ran fast. Lots of similar avalanches nearby. 

 
Date2022-03-06
LocationValdez
ObserverPWSC Rec Level 2
AvalancheN

General Observations

Lower Benzene Alley   clear sky, strong north wind flagging peaks, -2C to 0C Fresh avalanche activity from during the storm plus actively loading windslab avalanches. We watched a D2 windslab avalanche from afar release on a convexity at about 4000' on south aspect of Mile High peak above town. We toured up to about 700'…

 
Date2022-03-06
LocationValdez
ObserverJosh McDonald
AvalancheN

General Observations

Widespread avalanche activity from Port valdez to Thompson Pass. D1-D2. Slides involved new snow only, no step downs or deeper releases observed. Most released during storm near ridgetops, rock-bands, rollovers.  Thompson pass: Numerous D1-D2+ Slides mostly in the main corridor. Most releases where on windloaded SW slopes. Considerable activity durring storm on or near little…

 
Date2022-03-05
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

3/5- Dayville trees up to 1000'/Heavy snow/ Calm/ 31° F Shooting Cracks- Yes  Collapsing-Yes Avalanches-Yes, numerous natural D1's and several D2's on steep low elevation terrain failing at the new snow old snow interface.   Found very unstable snow conditions with long shooting cracks observed while skinning and extensive pre existing natural cracks extending hundreds…

 
Date2022-03-05
LocationValdez
ObserverPWSC Rec Level 2
AvalancheN

General Observations

Catchers Mit Parking Lot 2340'/28F/Whiteout-Obscured/Strong SE Winds/Heavy snowfall/Intense Blowing snow. Observed heavy drifting and wind loading on leeward aspects (NW) with drifts deep enough to get stuck in. Immediately noticed shooting cracks and reactive surface snow on small test slopes "parking lot burms." Skinned around on the flats and found surface hoar buried March 3rd…

 
Date2022-03-04
LocationValdez
ObserverSarah Carter
AvalancheN

General Observations

Moonlight Basin. -2C, obscured sky, snowing lightly, light southeast wind. 10cm new snow and accumulating. We found localized drifting: 40cm soft slab over temperature crust, cracking in hollows and lee side of gully. Turned around due to decreasing motivation to ski variable surfaces, from exposed crust to stiffening wind drifts, in the ping pong ball.

 
Date2022-03-03
LocationValdez
ObserverJeff Moskowitz
AvalancheN

General Observations

Toured Cracked Ice with variable visibility that eventually broke in the late afternoon. 20cm of new snow skied consistent, heavier at the bottom. Above 5,000' probed more than 3 meters. Around 4,000' probed 185cm and could feel basal facets near ridge and rocks. Light NE wind higher up but not enough to effect snow at…

 
Date2022-03-02
LocationValdez
ObserverJosh McDonald
AvalancheN

General Observations

Catchers mitt up to saddle. Widespread surface hoar down low to 3 or 4mm. Smaller surface hoar up high 1-2 mm Bpen: 15 cm Wind: calm Sky partly cloudy Temp @ road = -11c Temp mid mt = -6.5c Pit on Lower apron (30 degree slope) compression test: CT 7 @ 15 cm (new snow)…

 
Date2022-03-01
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

  3/1- Crudbuster up to 4000’/ Clear/ Calm/ N-NW aspects No signs of instability were observed throughout the day, although poor structure near the bottom of the pack could be felt with a probe and pole probing.  Found  2-3 inches of new snow atop a melt freeze crust up to 2300’.  Above 2300’  dry snow existed…

 
Date2022-03-01
LocationValdez
ObserverJeff Moskowitz
AvalancheN

General Observations

Toured up Nick’s Happy Valley and dug a pit at 4,700′ on the NE ridge between Python. A surface crust with 1-3mm surface hoar formed above 3,700′ and was observed up to 5,000′. The temperature gradient in the snowpack promoted rounding with a very hard slab over well developed facets. Test results were ECTX and…

 
Date2022-03-01
LocationValdez
ObserverJosh McDonald
AvalancheN

General Observations

Cracked ice near surface conditions: Lower mt: cold Temps, widespread surface hoar 3mm, breakable rain crust buried 15cm. Crust dissapears 500-800 feet above road Mid mt: widespread surface hoar 3mm, rain. Burried crust absent, 15cm new snow.  Upper mt: Temp =  -11deg c, surface hoar transitions to rime coated with 1mm surface hoar and lies…

 
Date2022-02-28
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

2/28- Tiekel Trees up to 2900’/overcast/calm/light snow Shooting Cracks: No Collapsing: No Avalanches: No Found an inch of new snow atop a  breakable melt freeze crust with moist snow 1 foot below crust.  Melt freeze crust existed up to 2200’ with dry snow higher up.   At 2800’ north aspect found the 1/24 crust to…

 
Date2022-02-27
LocationValdez
ObserverPWSC Rec Level 2
AvalancheN

General Observations

35 mile 2280' N-Aspect dug two pits to target the deep persistent slab and wind slab. Pit 1 was in a more protected area and had a total snow depth of 160cm with 35cm of 3mm depth hoar at the base and 3cm crust/facet combo down 70cm. Pit 2 was in a wind drift and…

 
Date2022-02-23
LocationValdez
ObserverJeff Moskowitz
AvalancheN

General Observations

Toured up to Loveland summit and dug a pit on N-aspect at 5000'. Total snow depth was 270cm with a few distinct temperature crusts down 30cm, 70cm and 100cm. No significant test results except more planar shears with on the go hand pits down 30cm and at the deepest study pit interface down 100cm. At…

 
Date2022-02-22
LocationValdez
ObserverDan van
AvalancheN

General Observations

Twosday,…2/22/22 Numerous skier triggered slides within wind deposits over 2/19? Rain 3mm ice lens  at 4,000’ hogs back and up high on T. pass, but focused more around the port? today there was more freezing rain on the pass getting absorbed into the snow.  The super shed is near and likely this Friday?!  

 
Date2022-02-20
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

2/20 - Stuart Creek/ Three Pigs area up to 3800’/ SCT/ Light wind/ No snow transport Shooting Cracks: No Collapsing: No Avalanches: Yes,  Several very large D3 hard slab avalanches were seen on a variety of aspects.  These avalanches failed in the last few days, near the ground on the November facets. At low elevations…

 
Date2022-02-20
LocationValdez
ObserverPeter Biskind
AvalancheN

General Observations

Loveland - widespread zipper crust (temperature, maybe rain, not sun crust) up to 5000ft. 2 miles interior (pipeline up track- one love parking lot) had powder on the surface.   PS Data is pertinent, however this is also a test of the system as a guest user from iPhone. Are y’all able to add a location…

 
Date2022-02-19
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

2/19 Cracked Ice up to 4000’ / Clear / Calm / NW-N aspects Shooting Cracks: No Collapsing: No Avalanches: Yes, several very large “D2-D3” natural hard slab avalanches were observed on west and north aspects of Cracked Ice and northeast aspects of Python. Found surface hoar growing up to 2mms atop 30 cms of unconsolidated…

 
Date2022-02-12
LocationValdez
ObserverSarah Carter
AvalancheN

General Observations

16 Mile. Obscured to Overcast sky. Snowing, then snaining. Calm.  75cm new snow settling over old crust. Snow skied heavier over a couple of runs. One big whumph was felt.

 
Date2022-02-11
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

Cracked Ice up to 3000’/ NW-N aspect/ 22° F at road/ light snow gradually ending through the day/ Calm. Found 80 cms of settled storm snow on top of a rain crust from 1/24 that was breaking down and turning to facets.  Storm snow was right side up below 2500’.  Above 2500’ wind affect at…

 
Date2022-02-05
LocationValdez
ObserverMoto Avy Class
AvalancheN

General Observations

Stayed in the Worthington Glacier flats area- 1-2' of soft snow with a supportable crust with complete sugar underneath the crust. Probably 3-4' total snow depth depending on where we probed. Significant wind loading from south winds coming through the Thompson Pass gap. We triggered a couple small wind slab test slopes with our machines,…

 
Date2022-01-30
LocationValdez
ObserverDan van
AvalancheN

General Observations

2-3 meter crowns over unsupported slopes, only pulled up hill from cliffs 5-10 meters,… north E&W aspects 3500’

 
Date2022-01-30
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

  Nicks Happy Valley up to 4000’/ northerly aspects/ Clear/ light wind w/ upper ridges flagging/ no snow transport Collapsing: No Shooting Cracks: No  Avalanches: Yes, a few natural persistent slab avalanches were noted that failed within the last 48 hours.  (see avalanche observation section of forecast page).   Below 3000’, found 8-12” of unconsolidated…

 
Date2022-01-30
LocationValdez
ObserverSarah Ann Carter
AvalancheN

General Observations

54 Mile. Clear sky, 12F, ridgelines flagging from north wind. At 3400' the HS is 165cm. Wind affected surface with 45cm soft storm slab bonding to old surface. Midpack consists of strong frozen wet grains and rounds over 4F facets at ground. We noticed a size 2 natural slab avalanche on a southern aspect; probably…

 
Date2022-01-25
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

1/25- Catchers Mitt to 2900’- OVC/ Moderate south wind with moderate snow transport along ridges/ light snow Collapsing- No Shooting Cracks- Yes, windloaded test slopes produced shooting cracks a meter in length Avalanches- No, did not hike or ski on slopes steeper than 30° and very poor visibility prevented any look at the mountains Found…

 
Date2022-01-16
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

1/16 Girls mountain up to 5900’ Clear/ wind starting as calm and becoming  NE moderate above 4000’ with moderate snow transport. Shooting Cracks- No Collapsing- No Avalanches-No Below 3000’ found 12-16” of unconsolidated new snow since 1/13 without wind affect.  Above 3000’ new snow became increasingly variable depending on the locations exposure to southeast storm…

 
Date2022-01-13
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

Full pit profile from the Girls mountain flats.  Faceted layer in between rain crusts buried 55 cms showed signs of propagation in PST test but not in ECT (PST 40/100 (END) down 55 cms.  This layer consisted of chained hollow cups up to 2 cms in length.

 
Date2022-01-07
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

1/7- Allison Creek up to 1600',west-north aspects.  Clear/moderate north wind/ no snow transport Shooting cracks: No Collapsing: No Avalanches: No Found a thin rain crust (1/8 inch) at the surface that was visible up to ridge lines at 3000'.  Rain crust  is unable to support a persons weight with dry settled snow beneath.  This layer…

 
Date2021-12-29
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

12/29- Benzene Alley up to 1300'/ north-west aspects/Clear+ calm  Collapsing-No Shooting Cracks-No Avalanches-Yes, observed multiple natural D1-2 wet loose slides originating from steep rocky areas from the recent warm up.  No step downs observed.     Found a thin (~1/8th inch) rain crust at the surface from sea level up to where I topped out…

 
Date2021-12-27
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

12/27-  Little Oddessey/ west aspect/ OVC/ Light wind, no snow transport.     Observed a rain crust at the surface that was about 1/8th of an inch thick with rime and a trace of snow on top.  Rain crust was found up to 3700' were I topped out.

 
Date2021-12-21
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

Numerous natural avalanches observed from recent wind event on all aspects except for east and northeast.  Avalanches were mostly hard slabs and in the D2-2.5 range.  Avalanche activity was observed from 46 mile to Thompson Pass.

 
Date2021-12-10
LocationValdez
ObserverJosh McDonaldI
AvalancheN

General Observations

Moonlight Basin near road elevation Windloading on S,S/W slopes. Scouring elsewhere.  Slabs to 3+ feet deep. Widespread collapsing. Remotely triggered a small but potentially dangerous slide on a windloaded rollover several hundred feet above road level. 

 
Date2021-12-08
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

Gully One up to 2400'-  Headed up towards Gully One with the goal to dig a pit in the flats at the entrance to the Gully.  Wanted to get an idea of how reactive the November facets were in an area more protected from the brunt of the Thompson Pass wind.  What I found was…

 
Date2021-12-07
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

12/7- Catchers Mitt up to 3700', SE aspect, no precip, calm. Shooting cracks- Yes    Collapsing-Yes    Avalanches- Yes, saw two natural D2's across the highway in N. Oddessey gully and big Oddessey. Experienced numerous large collapses on the way up with several lasting a couple seconds and traveling through terrain 2-300 feet away.  On…

 
Date2021-12-05
LocationValdez
ObserverSarah King
AvalancheN

General Observations

AIARE Level 1 PWSC class: We toured up to about 1200 feet elevation on the pipeline access road at 16 mile. The snow depth was about 40 cm and upon observation of the layers in the snow, we were able to verify poor structure with facets. 14 cm of new snow over a wind slab…

 
Date2021-12-03
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

Full profile of  Nicks Happy Valley, East aspect, ~3300', 30° slope angle, HS-95 cms.   Very weak snowpack with easy propagation on propagation saw test 40 cms down.  PST 10/100 (END)

 
Date2021-12-04
LocationValdez
ObserverM Dunn
AvalancheN

General Observations

Level 1 PWSC AIARE course with Sarah Carter.  We toured a few hundred feet up Moonlight Basin to about 2600' above sea level. We observed very little wind effect. We did find 1cm wind skin in some areas with 1mm surface hoar and stellars on top.  With this new storm coming we're curious to see…

 
Date2021-12-02
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

Moonlight basin up to 3500', SE-S aspects.  Collapsing- Yes, some very large with one remote trigger that released a medium sized wind lip over 200 feet away.     Shooting cracks- Yes, apparent on the lee side of terrain features with some producing 6-12 inch deep slab releases on test slopes.    Avalanches- Yes, saw…

 
Date2021-11-26
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

Loveland Basin up to 4500'.    Shooting cracks- Yes, small shooting cracks were observed within the new snow in lee areas that saw wind redistribution.   Collapsing- No.     Avalanches- No.  Found 10 cms of dry, new snow at the highway overlying firm wind affected snow.  New snow became deeper with elevation gain and…

 
Date2021-11-15
LocationValdez
ObserverEthan Burnham
AvalancheN

General Observations

Checked out Area 51, as first skiers out there this season. Was looking for something that may have been less affected by the crazy windstorm that was taking place. The snow at the base was thin, but soft and consistent so we booked it up Matt's Slope through dense alders until we hit the base…

 
Date2021-11-14
LocationValdez
ObserverSarah Ann Carter
AvalancheN

General Observations

Hairpin Corner Bluffs (Lower Moonlight Basin) Clear sky, 8F, Calm where we were, but Strong NE wind transporting snow from ridgetops. The Pass was seeing significant wind drifting and transport of this week's storm snow. In wind protection, we found 15cm settling storm snow sitting on strong meltfreeze crust. Height of snowpack 60-90cm. 2mm surface…

 
Date2021-11-07
LocationValdez
ObserverSarah Carter
AvalancheN

General Observations

Little Odyssey just above Pass height: 2660'. Clear sky, -5C and dropping, light east wind. Good early season base. 10-15cm fist new snow over 75cm of supportive melt freeze crust and wet grains. Some fresh reactive windslab at the surface on steep westerly rollovers. Sparkly rimed surface hoar.

 
Date2021-11-07
LocationValdez
ObserverKyle Klause
AvalancheN

General Observations

Hiked up, dug a pit @ ~4000 ft. Found ~150cm snowfall. Top 35cm: fist, middle 45cm: four-finger, bottom 70 cm, one finger. Seemed like a perfectly right side up snowpack. ECT test produced ECT-X: no fail. After running test we used a shovel to try to break the column with a sheer force rather than…

 
Date2021-04-15
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

4/15 Cracked Ice up to 6200'- W-N aspects, Overcast becoming partly cloudy. occasional snow. Collapsing: No Shooting cracks: No Avalanches:  Small wet loose activity on steep low elevation slopes. Found 15 cms of moist new snow atop a pencil hard wind board below 3000' .  At 5000' found 60 cms of moist/dry  storm snow that…

 
Date2021-04-07
LocationValdez
ObserverRick
AvalancheN

General Observations

Hardslab windslab avalanche triggered by first person down slope off on NW aspect just below the the north ridge of Little Matterhorn. HS-ARu-R2.5-D2

 
Date2021-04-01
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

4/1- Iguana Backs up to 4500'/ W-N aspects/ Partly Cloudy. Collapsing: No Shooting Cracks: No Avalanches: Yes.  Saw a natural hard slab avalanche on a west aspect halfway up an apron (4000')/~38° slope/ 100 meters wide ran 200' vertical to a flat bench. Crown ranged from 50-100 cms, and failed on 1-2mm near surface facets.…

 
Date2021-04-01
LocationValdez
ObserverBen
AvalancheN

General Observations

Avalanche observed N aspect above Worthington

 
Date2021-03-30
LocationValdez
ObserverSarah
AvalancheN

General Observations

Lower Cracked Ice noon-2pm Overcast, air temp -1C, snowing lightly, flat light 15cm heavy new snow forming soft slab over 10cm less dense nsf and preserved stellars.     

 
Date2021-03-23
LocationValdez
ObserverLance
AvalancheN

General Observations

Tour up Northwest Billy basin, climbed up a northeast aspect to around 5500 feet.   Faceted snow surface with 2-4 inch wind slab buried at varying depths sitting a more facets.   No formal pits were analyzed.   Skied northeast aspect up to 45 plus degree with significant but isolated pockets of slab avalanche pulling…

 
Date2021-03-22
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth
AvalancheN

General Observations

3/22- 1st basin downstream of Tonsina Glacier toe up to 4300'/ NE-SE aspects/ skied slopes up to 35°/ Clear becoming overcast/ Calm/ No precipitation    Shooting Crack- No Collapsing- No Avalanches- Yes- Saw 2 Natural windslab avalanches on the S side of Mt. Tiekel.  1st was a D1 about 100' wide ran 100' on a…

 
Date2021-03-10
LocationValdez
ObserverCarlos Romero
AvalancheN

General Observations

Toured to the base of the chutes on Stairway. Dug a pit on a relevant slope near the bottom entrance of a chute. We found a 10cm thick windboard buried 45cm down with 5cm of facets above and below it. CT (12,16), ECTN (17), and PST (End 60/100) tests all were reactive with Q1 as…

 
Date2021-03-08
LocationValdez
ObserverCarlos Romero
AvalancheN

General Observations

Dug a snowpit on the approach to Cracked Ice, below the glacier on a relevant aspect (N) we were planning to ski (30degrees) There was a buried wind slab layer 5cm thick buried 35cm down. Below that there was a layer of rounding facets 1mm large. Although we did see CT27 and CT30 (Q2), there…

 
Date2021-03-02
LocationValdez
ObserverCollin Atkinson
AvalancheN

General Observations

Toured up cracked ice to 3500’.  Wind crusts noted along north westerly aspects above the gulley, but north facing slopes did not have significant wind effect. Dug snow pit at 2365’, NW aspect, 23 deg slope, 2:50 PM.  HS: 215 cm. Snow profile: Top 30 cm (215-185 cm) fist, 185-175 cm 4 fingers, 175-165 cm…

 
Date2021-03-02
LocationValdez
ObserverCollin Atkinson
AvalancheN

General Observations

Toured up moonlight basin to 3500’.  Widespread wind effect noted on all south facing aspects.  Skiers triggered 3 D1 wind slab avalanches on convex terrain features.  Fractures varied from 3-6” in thickness, 5-10 feet in width, and did not run significantly.

 
Date2021-02-28
LocationValdez
ObserverAllen Dahl
AvalancheN

General Observations

Small creek/stairway up to 5200' Broken/overcast skies slowly clearing to few clouds. We observed active wind transport above tree line from moderate easterly winds. These easterly winds were primarily loading westerly slopes. We saw evidence of small natural avalanches on small wind loaded westerly aspects, and D2 avalanches on some of the large WNW chutes of…

 
Date2021-02-27
LocationValdez
ObserverPWSC Rec Level 2 Avalanche Class
AvalancheN

General Observations

Toured out Benzine Alley today. Traveled 2 miles out from road to 1400' before transitioning. Skied snow machine trail out and in.  Weather was good from morning to afternoon. Overcast. Temperatures stayed below freezing till 2PM, no precipitation till late afternoon, light rain began around 2PM. No wind. Surface conditions were dynamic throughout the day.…

 
Date2021-02-26
LocationValdez
ObserverZD & Sara Smalls
AvalancheN

General Observations

Port of Valdez, Comstock up to 3600’ N-E aspects. No wind. Soft snow on lower elevations in the trees. Started to see wind effect on snow surface around 2500’. Varying from thin wind crust to more defined wind board up to 3 inches w/ some collapsing underfoot. Noted ~4 in wind crust under ~1.5 ft…

 
Date2021-02-26
LocationValdez
ObserverPWSC Rec Level 2 Avalanche Class
AvalancheN

General Observations

Moonlight Basin -6C, light north wind shifted to southeast, then north again about 2pm, flat light, increasing cloud thickness At 2300 feet on south facing aspect we observed a D1 wind slab that probably released naturally within the last 48 hours on a steep convexity. (see photo) Flurries began about 1 PM, but only accumulated…

 
Date2021-02-25
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

2/25- Port of Valdez west of Gold Creek up to 3700'.  E-SW aspects/ Clear / Calm Found snow surface changing on solar aspects fairly rapidly during the day from dry to moist.  Widespread wet- loose point releases were observed from sea level to 4400' on SE-SW aspect during the heat of the day.  Snow surface…

 
Date2021-02-25
LocationValdez
ObserverSarah Carter
AvalancheN

General Observations

-7C, scattered cloud, north wind moving snow at ridgetops We skinned up Catcher Mitt to 27 Mile peak. Found 25-35cm new snow, wind affected near ridges. Windslab was not reactive to skier testing. Later in the day, some dry loose activity on steep south aspects due to direct solar radiation.

 
Date2021-02-25
LocationValdez
ObserverMadeline Dunn
AvalancheN

General Observations

Went out to check conditions for the aiare L2 venue for this weekend.  Wasn’t able to trigger any avalanche even on steep convex rolls with obvious wind slab. After we got back to the car at 4:30pm we watch two snow machines punch straight up a 32+ degree face with no signs of instability.  I…

 
Date2021-02-23
LocationValdez
ObserverSarah Carter
AvalancheN

General Observations

-23C, increasing cloud with light snowfall starting 4pm. Average snowpack depth in Tsaina Valley is about 160cm. 25cm new snowfall from past week sitting on various old wind effected surfaces. Foot pen 30-40cm. Ridgelines had intense snow transport by north wind. Some old facets beneath fresh windslab. No new avalanche activity observed.

 
Date2021-02-21
LocationValdez
ObserverAllen M Dahl
AvalancheN

General Observations

North aspects up Small creek before going up an easterly aspect up to 4800'. Skies had few clouds in the morning, and then gradually became overcast/obscured in the afternoon. Mostly light winds from ENE. We observed wind transport near our high point. Widespread wind affected variable snow above 2400'. We would occasionally experience localized cracking…

 
Date2021-02-20
LocationValdez
ObserverPWSC Rec Level 2 Avalanche Class
AvalancheN

General Observations

Overcast skies, -20 C, NNE wind picked up around 2:45pm with moderate snow transport near ridgelines. Flat light. Toured up Small Creek to roughly 2500 feet, tested wind slabs on north aspect. We dug a few snow pits and observed 1 -4 finger wind slabs, variable thickness of 5-25cm. Verified avalanche forecast:  wind slab was…

 
Date2021-02-20
LocationValdez
ObserverJames Smith
AvalancheN

General Observations

Flat light and wind effected snow thwarted our plan to head up Girls. Decided to dig a pit at the bottom and poke some snow instead.  Base of Girls, 2300ft, South Aspect. Overcast skies, calm winds. Partial profile.  HS 164cm, Foot Pen 8cm (but highly variable). Air temp -15C. We found the main weakness in…

 
Date2021-02-18
LocationValdez
ObserverSarah Carter
AvalancheN

General Observations

North aspect, below treeline, overcast, 25F, Calm HS 160cm, foot pen 60cm, ski pen 25cm 20cm new fist hard storm snow from Feb.17-18. 3-4cm thick Jan. 19 raincrust down 40cm with facets above and below. https://youtu.be/V3IEzByTdkA  

 
Date2021-02-18
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

2/18-Cracked Ice up to 3000'/ N aspect/Ovc, Calm, No precipitation. Shooting Cracks- No Collapsing- No Avalanches- No Found 10 cms (4 inches) of new snow from 2/17.  Below 2000' the 1/17 rain crust was present down 30 cms with small facets present below the crust.  Above 2000' 30 cms of soft snow rested upon very…

 
Date2021-02-18
LocationValdez
ObserverKyle Klause
AvalancheN

General Observations

Bagel and I started our day looking for some roadrun laps, didn't find much there worth lapping so we head back into town to try out benzine. We hiked to the ridge just above the cut track and dug on a North/West aspect with slope angle of ~30 degrees. Snow depth where we dug was…

 
Date2021-02-13
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

2/13- Browns Creek up to 3800'/ SW-W aspects/ Clear/ Calm/ 22° F @3800' Collapsing- No Shooting Cracks- No Avalanches- No The first couple of hundred feet out of the valley found 2mm developed facets under a rain crust in steep terrain that was 40 cms down.  Above that elevation found 30-40 cms of uncohesive snow…

 
Date2021-02-06
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

2/6- Hippie Ridge up to 4700'/ South aspect/ Clear,Clam. Shooting cracks-Yes- very small cracks around skis in the surface snow above 4000'.  Did not radiate. Collapsing- No Avalanches- No Found 6-8 inches of dry snow atop a rain crust in the flats (below 2500').  Rain crust was decomposing with facets developing beneath.  Above 2500' found…

 
Date2021-02-06
LocationValdez
ObserverM. Nelson
AvalancheN

General Observations

Around 40 mile noted lots of cracking and lots of collapsing on both wind scoured and wind loaded features, especially on convexities. 

 
Date2021-02-03
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

2/3- Girls-Bald Boy up to 3600'/ SE-E aspects/ partly cloudy becoming clear/ no precipitation /calm Shooting cracks- No, new snow had no cohesion Collapsing-No Avalanches- No Found 30 cms (12 inches) of new, very low density snow sitting on a hard (pencil +) wind affected snow.  The new snow was not bonded well to the…

 
Date2021-02-02
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

2/2-Cracked Ice up to 3000'/north aspects/ski pen 0-2 inches/ -10 F at car/ Clear/ Calm, wind becoming light at 3000' Shooting cracks: Yes, mostly small radiating around skis. Some up to 10' long on the lee aspects of terrain features Collapsing: Yes, had one very large collapse (travelled ~200') near 3000' as I was at…

 
Date2021-01-31
LocationValdez
ObserverSam V
AvalancheN

General Observations

Winds ramped up from the northeast throughout the day at Crudbusters. Still good snow holding on the westerly aspects we skied but some tender windslabs building at the ridge tops. Most of the soft snow had blown away/turned to firm wind slab on north facing run skiing back to the truck in the evening. Lots…

 
Date2021-01-30
LocationValdez
ObserverM. Nelson
AvalancheN

General Observations

Girls up to 5400'.  Lots of wind effected snow the entire way.  Shooting cracks: No Collapsing: No Avalanches: No Dug a pit at 3975', 28degrees SE aspect.  HS 280cm.  ECTN3 10cm down (on top of rain crust).  ECTN15 20cm down (below the rain crust).  ECTP25 40cm down, Q2. 

 
Date2021-01-24
LocationValdez
ObserverAidan Shafland
AvalancheN

General Observations

Tour up Nicks Happy Valley. Started seeing debris at the mouth of the valley and toured up to the bowl below berlin wall. Dug a pit at 3700ft, N aspect, 30° slope, ECTX, AK block test 50x90 produced shearing @80cm after 15 hard jumps. Seemed pretty hard to affect. Good bonding throughout the snowpack. Snow…

 
Date2021-01-23
LocationValdez
ObserverM. Nelson
AvalancheN

General Observations

Dug a pit ~2400' on the Cracked Ice buttress. Stout rain crust observed with about 5" of new snow on top.  HS ~200cm, producing ECTN15 on top of the crust. 

 
Date2021-01-23
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

1/23- Crudbusters up to 2800' north aspect/ overcast/ light snow/ calm Shooting cracks: No Collapsing: No Avalanches: No Found a stout rain crust up to 2500'. At the road (1500') there was 1 inch of new snow on the crust which quickly became 10 inches by 2000'. New snow had bonded well to the crust…

 
Date2021-01-19
LocationValdez
ObserverAidan Shafland
AvalancheN

General Observations

Multiple wet slide avalanches coming down from High School Hill. One came from just below the ropes all the way to the parking lot of the HS.

 
Date2021-01-18
LocationValdez
ObserverAllen Dahl
AvalancheN

General Observations

Skier-triggered D1.5 avalanche in wind loaded, relatively low angle gully on the upper section of the standard road run.Storm snow below 1600' was saturated with water. Storm snow above was moist and pressed by accompanying winds. Cornices on top of the the rollovers/gullies were large, and some had already broken.

 
Date2021-01-19
LocationValdez
ObserverDan Van
AvalancheN

General Observations

Limited observations around the Port limited to under 1,000' due to weather obstruction. Rain at lower elevations has brought numerous natural avalanches on slopes immediately adjacent to the dtown, yesterday. Pass is closed this morning for avalanche mitigation, after receiving over two feet of new snow yesterday with wind.

 
Date2021-01-18
LocationValdez
ObserverDan van
AvalancheN

General Observations

Natural avalanches likely, human triggered very likely!  Any bets going on when the pass gets shut down?  

 
Date2021-01-16
LocationValdez
Observerksobek
AvalancheN

General Observations

Great quality, but much less quantity of snow along the Richardson highway north of 50 mile, compared to 46 mile and south. More wind blown snow in the alpine as well. Questionable stability in the northern Chugach alpine due to wind effect and intercontinental snow pack. No avalanches spotted. 

 
Date2021-01-16
LocationValdez
ObserverAidan Shafland
AvalancheN

General Observations

Touring up towards Lower Dimond with the intention of digging some pits looking for burried surface hoar. Dug pit at ~2400ft, NW aspect slope with an angle of 33° found no shearing or propagation in our ECT, however when loaded with a skier above the pit, the EC failed at a depth of ~45cm, and…

 
Date2021-01-12
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

1/12- Hippie Ridge up to 3600'/ south aspects/ overcast/ calm/ no precipitation/ upper teens to mid 20's F. Collapsing: No Shooting cracks: Yes, on uptrack in between kick turns below 3000' Avalanches: No Found ski penetrations up to 50 cms in low elevation flats becoming 20-30 cms once on slope. Surface snow was unaffected by…

 
Date2021-01-09
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

1/9- Tiekel Trees up to 3000'/ OVC/ Calm/ No precipitation  Collapsing: No Shooting Cracks: No Avalanches: Yes, natural avalanches observed ~3500' on east aspect of North Tiekel,  see avalanche activity section for pics and details. Temperatures had warmed overnight causing the upper snowpack to become slightly top heavy.  Lots of tree bombs in the forest.…

 
Date2021-01-08
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

1/8- Cracked Ice up to 3000'/NW- N aspect/SCT/No precipitation/Calm Shooting Cracks: No Collapsing: No Avalanches: Yes, our group triggered 3 separate D1.5-2 avalanches on north aspects. Crowns were around 40 cms deep (16 inches).  All three originated from convexities in the terrain around 2800' on a ~37-39° slope angle.  Two of these were around 100…

 
Date2021-01-07
LocationValdez
ObserverAllen Dahl
AvalancheN

General Observations

Benzene up to a high point of 1700' for a couple of laps.  We noticed two small fresh debris piles initiating from steep terrain on the north face of Benzene.  Skies were scattered in the morning, becoming overcast near noon, and opening back up to broken skies before sunset.Car temp sensor read 1*C upon return…

 
Date2021-01-07
LocationValdez
ObserverDan Van
AvalancheN

General Observations

beautifully light snow is still clinging to 8:12 screwless cold roofs, building cohesion and waiting to go!  Seeing widespread wind distribution in the upper elevations from the NE, localized in the mid-elevations, and most persistent in channel terrain funneling from the north.  Hogs Back today at 2,500', 5-15mph winds redistributed 8-18" of storm snow into…

 
Date2021-01-04
LocationValdez
ObserverDan Van
AvalancheN

General Observations

merely an observation.  Recent snowfall and wind have been gently building the depth of snow.  Aprons and alluvial fans of slopes are holding indicators of instability which could result in small slides stepping down 50 to 100 cm and bring much more down than a ridgeline wind deposit.  SP 10cm  BP 70 - 90 cm. …

 
Date2021-01-01
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

1/1 Crudbusters up to 5600' NW-N aspects.  Clear/Calm, light ridge top wind, no snow transport/ 0-5°F. Shooting Cracks: No Collapsing:No Avalanches: Yes, Observed a full depth D3 natural avalanche that released mid slope ~5000' on a NW aspect,~150 yards wide, max crown depth ~3 meters.  Debris was covered by new snow, likely failed during the…

 
Date2020-12-29
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

Catchers Mitt to Worthington Glacier up to 5500'/ SE-NE aspects/ Clear/ Light- Moderate wind with light-moderate snow transport. Shooting Cracks: yes, only in isolated locations just below wind loaded terrain features Collapsing: No Avalanches: No Found wind pressed surface snow on the Catchers Mitt approach that made the top 1 foot of snow slightly upside…

 
Date2020-12-26
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

12/26 Small Creek up to 2800'- Overcast with light- moderate snow/ calm/ 14° F/ north aspect Shooting cracks: Yes Collapsing: Yes Avalanches: No Found collapsing and small shooting cracks in valley bottom failing 2 feet deep on a layer of preserved columns from 12/19. Snow pit at 2500' showed that facets were developing on top…

 
Date2020-12-24
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

12/24- Loveland Basin up to ~3700'. North through east aspects, 26° F at the road/ overcast/ moderate ridge top winds creating light to moderate snow transport/ no precipitation turning to light snow later in the day. Shooting Cracks: Yes Collapsing: No Avalanches:No Found 2 feet of settled storm snow since 12/21 in protected areas.  …

 
Date2020-12-20
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

12/20- Python and Cracked Ice Butresss up to 3000'. Clear/Calm/~5° F/NW-N aspects Shooting Cracks- Yes Collapsing- Yes Avalanches-Yes Skied in a similar area that I had on 12/19 (see observation) and attempted to move out into steeper terrain.  Stepped back to less consequential terrain when I found that 3-4" of new snow that fell the…

 
Date2020-12-19
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

12/19- Cracked Ice up to 3000'/NW-N aspects/ 6° F at the car rising to 14° F at the end of tour/ overcast with snow becoming moderate later in the day/ Calm . Collapsing: No Shooting cracks: No Avalanches: No Found 8-10 inches of low density new snow from the last 48 hours. Hand shear tests…

 
Date2020-12-17
LocationValdez
ObserverKyle Klause
AvalancheN

General Observations

Road the north face of Benzine. Dug a pit @ apx. 2500 feet found 100-150 cm snow. Top layer was fist penetration, ~30 cm. Next was 4 finger penetration, ~40 cm. Next was fist, ~30 cm. Next was pen or knife,~30 cm. And the bottom ~15 cm was medium, sugary, rounded, facets. Attached picture shows…

 
Date2020-12-11
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

12/11-Shovel (40.5 mile peak) up to 5000'/ W-N aspect/ calm+clear/ -15°F at valley floor, 0°F above 3000'/ ski pen 15-30cms. Avalanches: No Shooting Cracks: No Collapsing: No Found Surface Hoar 2-4mm below 3000'. Along the course of the tour hand shear test had moderate to hard results. Surface snow had no wind effect, skied slopes…

 
Date2020-12-06
LocationValdez
ObserverPWSC Avy Level one Class
AvalancheN

General Observations

We toured to the lower Catcher's Mitt area via the pipeline cut from the Worthington Glacier parking area.  We noticed moderate to strong northwinds transporting snow throughout the day.  At elevation 2800ft we saw on our south west test slopes  easily triggered wind slabs.  The test slopes slide 1-2' down, the winds slabs failed on…

 
Date2020-12-05
LocationValdez
ObserverAllen Dahl
AvalancheN

General Observations

Tour from Moonlight basin over to South Odyssey gully. Snow down by the hairpin turn is low density on top of a solid MF crust. Above 3000', this crust starts to disappear. A handpit near 3500' broke with moderate/hard force at a density change ~20cm down, SSE aspect. Another two broke with moderate force ~15cm…

 
Date2020-12-05
LocationValdez
ObserverPWSC Avy Level one Class
AvalancheN

General Observations

We toured up moonlight basin to around 3200' elevation.  On a south west aspect we found wind loaded features failed easily under the weight of a skier.  WE found CTH down 30cm within storm snow with resistant planar fracture characteristic, There was no propagation on the extended column test.  WE observed active wind transport near…

 
Date2020-12-04
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

12/4- Catchers Mitt up to 4700' SE-S aspects/Mostly clear/No precipitation/moderate wind increasing to strong with moderate snow transport/ ski penetration above 3000' was 15-30cms. Shooting cracks- No Collapsing- No Avalanches- Yes, our group snowboard triggered one small pocket of wind slab on a top loaded roll with about 30' of relief. Wind slab propagated 100'…

 
Date2020-12-03
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

12/3- Moonlight Basin up to 4100'/South aspect/ overcast becoming partly cloudy/ moderate snowfall/calm/ski penetration was 30-70 cms Avalanches: Numerous large to very large natural avalanches were observed on the drive from 46 mile to Thompson Pass with many failing at the ground. These slides happened between 12/1-12/2 during the peak of warming and storm intensity.…

 
Date2020-11-30
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

11/30- Catchers Mitt up to 3500'. Overcast/ moderate to strong SE-SW winds with moderate drifting snow/ No precipitation at the start of the tour turning to moderate snow at the end. Collapsing- Yes, some very large in thin areas  Shooting Cracks- No Avalanches-No Found that storm snow had been redistributed by wind with exposed high…

 
Date2020-12-01
LocationValdez
ObserverSarah Carter
AvalancheN

General Observations

Roofs sliding in town. Rain saturating the 10" of stormsnow.

 
Date2020-11-29
LocationValdez
ObserverKyle Klause
AvalancheN

General Observations

Road around the Solomon Gulch trails, probed a few different spots. Found ~100 cm of snow consistently. 5-ish layers, top layer ~18 cm thick, next layer ~45 cm thick, next ~20 cm thick, next ~5 cm thick (this one seemed real "punchy" might be a problem layer), last layer ~12cm thick. I didn't dig or…

 
Date2020-11-23
LocationValdez
ObserverKyle Klause
AvalancheN

General Observations

Got up to benzene this morning. At ~ 2000 ft saw 75 cm and two layers. Both layers about 37cm, right side up. Lots of salmonberry bushes still poking up, made for a bush-wacking good ride.

 
Date2020-11-15
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

11/15- Little Oddessy up to 3800’, W-NW aspects, clear, no precip, moderate to strong Northeast wind with moderate snow transport. Avalanches: Yes, D2 natural observed in Loveland Basin that failed at the ground Collapsing: No Shooting Cracks: Yes, up to 10’ Northeast wind was forming fresh windslabs on lee aspects up to 1' deep that…

 
Date2020-11-14
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

11/14- Moonlight Basin up to 4200’, S-SW aspects, partly cloudy, NE wind light becoming moderate. No snow transport, but was becoming visible on high ridges through the day. Avalanches: No Shooting Cracks: No Collapsing: No Found early season conditions with thin coverage 11/14.  ~1’ of new snow was at the parking lot with ~3’ at…

 
Date2020-04-17
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

4/17 Cracked Ice up to 6200':  North aspect, Clear, Calm with light southwest wind on ridge tops, 39° F at 5 pm at 6000'.  Shooting Cracks: NoCollapsing: NoAvalanches: Yes, Widespread wet loose avalanches all aspects and elevations.  Full depth wet slabs were also noted on south aspects originating from 2-4000 feet elevation.Found the surface to be very wet…

 
Date2020-04-17
LocationValdez
ObserverPWSC Level 2 class
AvalancheN

General Observations

High Temp: 49F with minimal overnight freeze. Location: Town Mountain. Elevation: ~3800' down to ~1200'.  Aspect: south. Wet loose triggered by daytime warming and no overnight freeze. Stepped down to dirty wet slab. Spring Shed: This avalanche was one of many yesterday that ran full path on steep southerly aspects.

 
Date2020-04-06
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

4/6- 1st tributary glacier to the west of hoodoo glacier up to 5900':  North through east aspects, clear, calm, temperatures in the mid teens.  Shooting cracks: No Collapsing: NoAvalanches: Several small to moderate dry loose observed on north through east aspects.  Dry loose did not trigger any soft slab avalanches.  These were both natural and human triggered.Above 3000'…

 
Date2020-03-20
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

3/20: Billy Mitchell up to 4400', west through north aspects, clear and calm.Shooting Cracks: yes, but only in isolated locations where fresh wind slab was present, up to 10 feet long.    Collapsing: yes, between 2-3000' in areas exposed to outflow winds, a shallow snowpack existed.  In these areas poor structure was present in the top 60 cms, with…

 
Date2020-03-12
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth
AvalancheN

General Observations

3/12: Tsaina Valley N-NW aspects up to 5700' between "the corner" and the toe of the glacier.  Clear, light to moderate E-NE winds, light snow transport, 7° F at 5500'.Shooting cracks: Yes, but only on the lee side of terrain features up to 3 feet long and small cracks around skis.   Collapsing: No.  Avalanches:NoFound a…

 
Date2020-03-03
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

Comstock Basin up to 1700', North aspect, Clear becoming partly cloudy, no precip, calm.Collapsing: No   Shooting Cracks: No   Avalanches: Numerous sluffs in terrain steeper than 40°, Sluffs did not create further avalanche activity.Found 2 feet of settled storm snow that hadn't yet formed a cohesive slab.  Hand shear tests scored moderate to hard.

 
Date2020-02-28
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

2/28: Iguana Backs up to 4600' N-E aspects.  light to moderate wind above 2000', light snow transport on exposed ridges and high peaks.Collapsing: No  Shooting cracks: No  Avalanches: Yes, observed a Natural wind slab avalanche 4000'. N-HS-R2-D2, West aspect slope that descends from crud buster basin into iguana backs. Stepped down immediately below initial crown,…

 
Date2020-02-27
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

2/27: Dimond up to 4700', west - north aspects, clear and calm.Collapsing: No.  Shooting Cracks: No. Avalanches: No.  Skied NW aspects up to 40° with no signs of instability.Found 5 cms of new snow on top of 10-30 cms of 4 finger+ windslab on top of fist hard to 4 finger snow from 2/17 storm down 70…

 
Date2020-02-24
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

2/24: Gully 1 up to 4500', NW-NE aspect, 5° F at the road, light to moderate north east winds with moderate to strong snow transport on high peaks and ridges.  Clear, no precip.Collapsing: No.  Shooting Cracks: Yes, up to 10' long on lee sides of terrain features.  Avalanches: Yes, Natural observed on the North face of…

 
Date2020-02-23
LocationValdez
ObserverS. Smalls and AAIC/VDZ Snowmachine Club
AvalancheN

General Observations

Snowmachine adventure near the headwaters of Quartz Creek, 54 mile as part of an avalanche safety class with AAIC and Valdez Snow Machine Club. Big group of us (14 riders) observed a slide we believe we remotely triggered. D2 avalanche on a southwest facing aspect, ~300 ft across and ran ~600-800 ft vertically. The slide occurred around 5,000…

 
Date2020-02-22
LocationValdez
ObserverTaylorB
AvalancheN

General Observations

Little Girls ski tour: No collapsing or shooting cracks appreciated. We jumped on and ski cut a dozen small test slopes and wind loaded features with no reactions. Variable light winds out of the North and East, with wind transport visible down by the gap up to 27 Mile PK. D2 soft slab avalanche noted on the lateral and terminal moraine…

 
Date2020-02-22
LocationValdez
ObserverSB
AvalancheN

General Observations

Catchers Mitt to the notch at the top of the apron:  4600’.  Mostly sunny, light winds becoming moderate towards the top from the SSE.  Variable snow conditions all the way up.  Plenty of snow transport up top.  Dug a pit at around 3550’ SE aspect 20 degree slope.  Snow depth greater than 240cm.  ECTN 23 @…

 
Date2020-02-19
LocationValdez
ObserverLance
AvalancheN

General Observations

Toured up the North/East Shoulder on Tiekel.  Crusty wet snow in the lower trees to about 1600 feet transitioning to heavy thick snow.   Winds were heavy at times out of the South/southwesterly.  Did not observe any blowing snow or active transport at lower elevation up to 2800 feet.  A heavy slab on north east…

 
Date2020-02-19
LocationValdez
ObserverJess E.
AvalancheN

General Observations

Natural avalanche observed on Solomon gulch trail at low elevation. 

 
Date2020-02-11
LocationValdez
ObserverAndrew Roche
AvalancheN

General Observations

An avalanche was observed adjacent to a snowmachine track near Solomon Lake. The avalanche was on a East facing aspect, ~900ft elevation, D:2/R:1, and appeared to be remotely snowmachine triggered.

 
Date2020-02-15
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

2/15: Crudbusters up to 4200' north aspect, -2° F at the road 8° F at 4100', partly cloudy, calm, light snow after 3 pm.Collapsing: No   Shooting cracks: No  Avalanches: NoFound 20cms of new snow from 2/12 sitting on a hard wind affected layer created 2/10.  Found good stability up to 4200'.At 3000' Pit results produced…

 
Date2020-02-14
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth B
AvalancheN

General Observations

Observation and Videos supplied by Taylor Brown.   Mineral Creek, Wowwie Zowie: Strong out flow winds transporting snow with multiple D1 to D2 loose snow avalanches running directly over the Wowwie Zowie ice climbs. 15cm of the 2/12/20 storm snow being transported in the valley and alpine with the avalanches mostly likely running on the…

 
Date2020-02-13
LocationValdez
ObserverCasey J
AvalancheN

General Observations

Natural avy activity observed just north of the Little Girls up track. 

 
Date2020-02-13
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

Video sent in by Taylor Brown. Simple Twist Gully between Bridalveil Falls and Keystone Greensteps. D1 soft slab with a 30cm crown that ran on the 2/8/20 1F crust https://vimeo.com/391410862

 
Date2020-02-13
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

2/13- Nicks up to 4000'.  14° F at the road, clear, moderate north wind becoming calm in the gully, peaks flagging.  Collapsing: No  Shooting Cracks: Yes  Avalanches: Yes, shallow pocket (6 inches) up to 150' wide, remotely triggered on cross loaded terrain feature west aspect.Found 6-8 inches of dry new snow from 2/12.   North east wind had formed…

 
Date2020-02-13
LocationValdez
ObserverSarah Ann Carter
AvalancheN

General Observations

GREENSTEPS, Keystone Canyon1pm wind slab size 1 avalanche. 

 
Date2020-02-12
LocationValdez
ObserverTaylorB
AvalancheN

General Observations

Keystone Canyon: Approximately 15cm of new snow from the 2/11-2/12 storm was being transported by 30-40mph outflow north winds forming deep drifts and soft slab potential. Areas of concern appear to be wind loaded and cross loaded features, unsupported snow slopes, and low-density alder patches. This new snow is sitting on the 2/8/20 upside-down storm cycle that ended warm creating…

 
Date2020-02-10
LocationValdez
ObserverDan Van
AvalancheN

General Observations

Loveland NNE, BP 70cm, SP 10cm, 10-50cm Heavier consolidated snow over 30cm of lighter density snow at 3,000'  Looming slab issues in this area with additional wind and accumulation.  No results from heavy snowmobile use and minor wind loaded pockets were released from snowboards. 

 
Date2020-02-08
LocationValdez
ObserverTaylorB
AvalancheN

General Observations

Keystone Canyon: Multiple D1 to D2 loose-snow avalanches progressing to wet loose-snow avalanches as temperatures rose to above freezing by 3pm. The sluffs where big enough to sweep you off your feet or burry you in a terrain trap. S1 to S2+ snow accumulation throughout the day transitioning to rain by 5pm, light wind out of the south. 45cm of new snow…

 
Date2020-02-06
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

2/6- RFS up to 4400'.  25° F at the road, partly cloudy, light snow at times, calm at the road becoming moderate SE wind above 3000' with light snow transport. Collapsing: Yes, large collapses below 2500'  Shooting Cracks: Yes Avalanches: Yes, 2 small remote trigger avalanches below 2000'.  See avalanche activity section on website for details. Found a…

 
Date2020-02-04
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

2/4- Benzene Alley up to 1600', NW-N aspects, 30° F, light snow mixed with freezing rain, calm. Collapsing: No    Shooting Cracks: No   Avalanches: No Freezing rain had created a very thin crust (less than 1 cm) above 5 inches of dry new snow.  In a snowpit at 1200', NW aspect, 20° slope, found a snowpack that…

 
Date2020-02-01
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

2/1-Hippie ridge up to 3000', South aspect, Partly sunny, 0° F, wind calm at the the road becoming moderate to strong above 2500'. In protected areas experienced a very touchy snowpack.  Large collapses that would travel over 100' were common as well as shooting cracks that would radiate up to 50'.  We also remotely triggered numerous…

 
Date2020-01-24
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

1/24- Gully 1 up to 3700',  2° F at the road, Clear, Mod north east wind, no snow transport except on high ridges, north aspect.   Collapsing: yes, a couple very large collapses, one which remotely triggered small pieces of cornice to fail 200' away in a cross loaded gully.  Shooting Cracks: Yes, some 30' long. Avalanches: Yes, very…

 
Date2020-01-21
LocationValdez
ObserverKyle Sobek
AvalancheN

General Observations

 Nick's Happy Valley- I would estimate there was about 1.5 feet on the glacier of new snow from the past 48 hours. Snowmachined up the gut and did numerous sled ski laps. After a couple laps in the gut we were feeling confident in the snow and decided to step it up onto steeper terrain. We were…

 
Date2020-01-20
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

RFS up to 3000'.  0° F, Calm, moderate snowfall.  Collapsing: Yes  Shooting crack: Yes, some radiating over 30' through the new snow  Avalanches: Yes, small avalanches within the new snow were easily initiated were the bed surface was smooth wind board on slopes steeper than 30°.   Found 4" of low density snow that was very poorly bonded with old…

 
Date2020-01-19
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

1/19- Billy Mitchell up to 3200'.  -5° F, OVC, moderate wind, no snow transport, snow developing to moderate through the day.Found developed near surface facets 1 inch below the surafce, 2-3 mm.  This layer will be something to watch with subsequent storms.

 
Date2020-01-16
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

1/16: Dimond up to 3100', 5° F at the road, -10° F at 3100'.  Clear, no precip, moderate- strong east wind above 2500', light- moderate snow transport.  Localized collapsing, Small shooting cracks around skis, not radiating, no new avalanches. Above 2000' found a variety of wind affected snow that ranged from snow stripped down to rain crust,…

 
Date2020-01-11
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

1/11: Allison Creek up to 2000', NW aspect, 5° F at the road to 0° F at 2000', light wind, no snow transport.   Large collapses experienced that propagated up to 100 meters, Shooting cracks that radiated up to 30' long through pencil hard wind slabs, No new avalanches.  Observed an old avalanche with unknown trigger, R2-D2- ~150M wide.Snow surface consisted of a…

 
Date2020-01-07
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

1/7- Crudbuster up to 4900'. 0° F at road, Partly cloudy, calm, no precip.  No collapsing, No shooting cracks and No avalanches.  In a pit at 4000', north aspect, 20° slope, found significantly better structure in the snowpack than at 3000'.  Rain crust from 12/9 was not present.  Height of snowpack was 200cms.   Although the snow 4000'…

 
Date2020-01-05
LocationValdez
ObserverPatrick N., Justin H., Dan J., Gus G.
AvalancheN

General Observations

Skinned up Little Girls and dug a pit at about 2800 feet, southerly facing on a 27 degree slope 4 in of fresh low density powder.ECTN #27 35 cm down in the snow pack, shear Q2. We gave the pit 6 big stomps to release a faceted crust 75 cm down. Did not slide on a smooth…

 
Date2020-01-04
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

1/4- Crudbusters up to 3500'.  -20F at the road , -10F at 3200', Clear, Calm.  Shooting cracks: no, Collapsing: yes, Avalanches: no.  Surface Hoar was beginning to form. Snow surface was unaffected by wind Pit results at 3200', N aspest, 20° slope, HS 180cms, produced ECTP24 down 75cm and PST (30/100) End down 75cm. Both failed on 1-2mm developed…

 
Date2020-01-04
LocationValdez
ObserverJessica Elder
AvalancheN

General Observations

20200104 1359 Traveled up towards Little Girls and built a pit at around 2850' on SE facing aspect at a 25 degree slope. Encountered vegetation at 200 cm so did not dig to the ground. Did a CT and got a Q3 CTH at 18 CM down. By that time sky condition went from scattered to overcast. No precipitation. Air…

 
Date2020-01-03
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

Girls mountain up to 5000'. SE-SW aspects, -10° F at the road, 0°F at 3000' and above.  Light winds at the road becoming strong as you moved up in elevation.  Snow surface consisted of varying degrees of wind effect, with areas of protected powder.Dug two pits today in similar locations 3200', SE aspect, 25° slope, light…

 
Date2019-12-28
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

12/28 Little Girls up to 3000'.   2° F, moderate snowfall, SW winds 20 MPH at 3000'.  Found settled storm snow to be 80-20cm's deep depending upon wind exposure. Wind exposed areas had formed windslab on lee slopes creating upside down snow on the surface. Hand shear tests produced very easy results.  Experienced large collapses and shooting cracks…

 
Date2019-12-24
LocationValdez
ObserverKsobek
AvalancheN

General Observations

12/24/19 - 54mile/Squaw Creek- Hard to tell exactly how much new snow had fallen due to wind but my best guess would be about 1' of new at the top of the drop in that goes down into Hurtle Creek(5000'). The new snow had not slabbed up into a potential slide-able layer but im sure with a wind, warmth, or…

 
Date2019-12-24
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

 12/24 Python Buttress up to 3200'.  At the trail head: 1700', 2° F, calm.  At 3200':  21° F, calm, light snow turning heavy later in the day, NE-NW aspect. Found 30 cms of new snow sitting on two different layers.  The first was the 12/9 rain crust that had been exposed by the 12/19-21 outflow wind event on windward slopes.  This rain crust…

 
Date2019-12-20
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

Small Creek up to 2700'. 10° F, Clear, Strong NE wind. Found a thin faceted snowpack below 2000' with surface snow unaffected by wind.  Above 2000' winds were strong out of the NE and had stripped the snow down to the 12/9 rain crust on north and east aspects, but was not able to scour…

 
Date2019-12-18
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

Gully 1, up to 4000', N aspect, mostly cloudy, 8° F, NE wind, light to moderate.Found surface hoar 2-4 mm in the flats and alders.  No surface hoar was found above bush line or in the gully.  At 3700', N aspect, 25° slope, found a snow depth of 200 cms.  Stability results yielded an ECTN22 down 30 cms,…

 
Date2019-12-17
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

Location: 54 Mile, Date: 12/17, Elevation: 1500'-5000', Temp: 0F at the trailhead, 20°F at 4700'.  S-E aspects.  No Cracking, No Collapsing, No Avalanches. Found widespread surface hoar up to 4 MM up to 3500'.  Above 3500,' surface hoar was in isolated locations that were not exposed to wind. Rice Mountain, 4700', East aspect,  32° slope , 20° F Clear and Calm.  Pit…

 
Date2019-12-15
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

North Oddessey and School bus up to 4500'.  Partly cloudy, no precip, no wind, mid 20 F. Found a variety of snow surfaces today, ranging from stripped surfaces to soft snow that was lightly wind touched.  Found wind slab of 1 finger to 4 finger density that was 2-4 inches deep.  The majority of surface conditions we found in the areas that…

 
Date2019-12-13
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

Little Odessey, up to 3700,' W through N aspects.  20 F, clear, no wind.  No avalanches, no shooting cracks, no collapsing.On the west ridge of Little Odessey, above 3000', wind had stripped the surface down to a crust.  Skied north aspect up to 35° and found 1 finger windslab from ridge down to 300' below the ridge.  Below this, the snow…

 
Date2019-12-11
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

Loveland Basin to 4200'. Skied East through North aspects.  Overcast no precip,light to moderate wind from the North.No new natural avalanches observed, No collapsing, Yes cracking.From the trailhead found frozen rain crust up to 3000', above this there was 25cms of dry snow from the Dec 9-10 storm.  The majority of the terrain we moved through today…

 
Date2019-12-10
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

Little Odyssey west ridge to 3700'/ 1-4 pm, clearing skies, no precip, light wind, 33F at the road 30F at 3500'. No new natural avalanche activity observed from 46 mile to Thompson Pass. No cracking, No whumpfing.Observed rain runnels in the snow below 2500' indicating snow that was saturated by rain.  Found 4" of moist new…

 
Date2019-12-08
LocationValdez
ObserverTaylor B
AvalancheN

General Observations

Multiple avalanches observed in the maritime zone with some of them running well below tree/brush line on the Valdez Glacier Lake, Hogsback  Ridge and wet slide avalanche activity in the ice climbing arenas of Keystone Canyon, Sheep Creek, Bear Creek, and Mineral Creek. Witnessed a large glide avalanche release on the SW aspect off of PK 4,690 above…

 
Date2019-12-08
LocationValdez
ObserverSarah Carter and Gareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

Little Girls/Bald Boy 1:30-4:30pm Good visibility, no precip, calm, 29F.  No new avalanche activity seen. Just above 4000' we dug on a SE aspect to gain baseline snowpack info. Average height of snow ~215cm. 20cm of settled fist-four finger storm snow. We found good structure with no reactive weak layers. ECTX. Old storm interfaces were present at…

 
Date2019-12-05
LocationValdez
ObserverDan van
AvalancheN

General Observations

Vertigo- 3,300 ft North 20 degrees 250cm snow depth moist at the ground to 30cmnovember rain layer 150 cm up 100 deep3mil surface hoar (complete feathers) observed2500-3500'  

 
Date2019-11-27
LocationValdez
ObserverKyle Sobek
AvalancheN

General Observations

Shoulder of girls/bro bowl- Observed a good sized(d3,r5) slide that always runs on the lookers left as you are riding up into bro bowl. Looked like the most recent storm ending on 11/24 + another layer or two down. Crown must have been 7-8' deep in spots averaging 3-4' While I was riding a few very small wind slabs…

 
Date2019-11-24
LocationValdez
ObserverPWSC AVY 1
AvalancheN

General Observations

We observed 3 avalanches on the pass.  One D2 on S side of Loveland, A D3 on the East face of Saphire, and a D2 on the North face of Odessey.  There was widespread wind affected snow on Thompson pass and we believe these slide were all wind slabs.  We toured up Loveland ridge.  On…

 
Date2019-11-23
LocationValdez
ObserverPWSC Avy L1
AvalancheN

General Observations

Little Odyssey 12:30-4pm Obsured sky/flatlight, calm, snowing 2cm/hr, 28F Toured up ridge to 1st gully ~3300', avoiding avalanche terrain. Average height of snow ~150cm. Nov.19-23 storm snow depth = 90cm. Some cracking under windslab when we got near ridgeline. Pockets of windslab on NW aspects to 30cm deep failing with moderate tests, sudden planar shear.   

 
Date2019-11-20
LocationValdez
ObserverSarah Ann Carter
AvalancheN

General Observations

November 18th to 20th Thompson Pass storm snow total so far: 41" with for 4 inches water equivalent. Height of snow 36".

 
Date2019-11-03
LocationValdez
ObserverSarah Carter
AvalancheY

General Observations

Noticed a few glide releases in Maritime and Transition zones. Mostly south aspects, except a couple westerly facing steep slopes between 3000-4000' elevation. Photo: below Catcher Mitt and Schoolbus gully.  

 
Date2019-10-29
LocationValdez
ObserverSarah Carter
AvalancheY

General Observations

Rain to ridgetops. Some wet loose avalanches to size above 3000' in steep terrain. 

 
Date2019-10-30
LocationValdez
Observerpete
AvalancheN

General Observations

Large avalanche off Snowslide at MP 16 stopped just above the Pack trail.

 
Date2019-10-27
LocationValdez
ObserverSarah Carter
AvalancheN

General Observations

Little Odyssey 1:30-4pm  Overcast sky/32F/No precip/Light to Mod SE wind/Flat LightSki pen ~10cm. Foot pen ~20cm.Kid ski at bottom of Little Odyssey. Average snowpack was about 60cm, distributed by previous storm winds. No wind transport while we were there. Layers were more or less uniform rounds and wet grains, right-side up. Some old facets at the ground.  

 
Date2019-10-11
LocationValdez
ObserverKyle Klause
AvalancheN

General Observations

I witnessed several point release slides on south facing aspects around the town of Valdez. Mile High peak and the slopes to the west. Snow level looks to be ~2500 ft and dropping. Happy winter all!

 
Date2019-04-20
LocationValdez
ObserverKyle Klause
AvalancheN

General Observations

6-8" at Salmonberry for Beacons and Eggs. Heavy, dense snowfall, large flakes, very little base left at and around sea level.

 
Date2019-03-31
LocationValdez
ObserverJason Champion
AvalancheN

General Observations

 
Date2019-03-26
LocationValdez
ObserverBen, Sunny, Josh and Zach
AvalancheN

General Observations

HIker triggered cornice drop triggered large avalanche.   About D2.5 size. Northwest Aspect. Page 2 of the books.

 
Date2019-03-25
LocationValdez
ObserverKyle Sobek
AvalancheN

General Observations

Snowmachine remote trigger from today (3/25/19), about 1pm. Hardslab. Failed on some near surface facets - the layer that slid seemed like it was the most recent snow from 3 or 4 days ago, (hasn’t been precipping much up that direction) Happened in Hurtle creek, SW Aspect, 35-40 degree start zone. Crown was 1-3’ deep.…

 
Date2019-03-19
LocationValdez
ObserverRich Loftin
AvalancheN

General Observations

Top Bowl slide

 
Date2019-03-19
LocationValdez
ObserverRich Loftin
AvalancheN

General Observations

Better Pics of Hogback slides.

 
Date2019-03-19
LocationValdez
ObserverRich Loftin
AvalancheN

General Observations

West slopes in area 5, multiple slides. Stay clear.

 
Date2019-03-19
LocationValdez
ObserverRich Loftin
AvalancheN

General Observations

Multiple slides on the steeper slopes of Hogback. After I got home I could see a substantial slide of the back wall in the top bowl. I hear this may have been snowmachine triggered.

 
Date2019-03-19
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

Observed innumerable wet loose avalanches size D-1 to D-2 on all aspects below 4500' from 46 mile to the Port.  Also noted a substantial amount of slab avalanches on all aspects, although more prevalent on NW-NE.  Slab avalanches were observed ranging in size from D1.5 to 2.5 on N. Tiekel East face, Happiness, Billy Mitchell, Three pigs South,…

 
Date2019-03-19
LocationValdez
ObserverGraham Hogan
AvalancheN

General Observations

Witnessed avalanche come down the face of The Square near Mt. Diamond. Released just below cornice. Wind loading observed.

 
Date2019-03-17
LocationValdez
ObserverMatthew VonLintig
AvalancheN

General Observations

Many natural wet loose avalanches observed on all aspects near Thompson pass below 3000'. 

 
Date2019-03-16
LocationValdez
ObserverAnonymous
AvalancheN

General Observations

We skinned up part of the ridge leading to Little Odessey starting around 2:30 p.m. and remained pretty conservative in how far we planned to go, opting to stay within sight of the road. Heavy snow and wind made for poor visibility and flat light. We dug a pit at our turnaround point, on the ridge with a…

 
Date2019-03-09
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

Toured up Billy Mitchell to 3000'.  Surface snow was moist to wet up to 2200',becoming drier above that. At 3000' wx was Overcast, lightly snowing, calm and 30 degrees F.  Later in the day Tiekel, Three Pigs and Billy Mitchell were flagging above 4000' from moderate to strong S-SW winds. There was 2 inches of fresh…

 
Date2019-03-01
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

I went up to 54 mile and dug a pit at a very similar location as a pit I had dug on Feb 2, to compare results.   4800' West aspect on a broad ridge, nearly flat.  Found Buried Surface Hoar 35 cm's down.  Probably deeper down once you got off of the ridge.  Showing…

 
Date2019-02-24
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

Went to Heiden Glacier and found a variety of stripped snow and 10-30 cm's of pencil hard wind slab on the approach.  No reaction, shooting cracks or collapsing on test slopes.  Skied a NE facing ramp and found that the snow had mostly been stripped down to old snow by wind.  The snow that was stripped…

 
Date2019-02-23
LocationValdez
ObserverSarah
AvalancheN

General Observations

Clear, light north wind, -5C Moonlight BasinWind raked. Pencil hard windslab 10-30cm thick adhered to variable surfaces. No fresh activity observed.

 
Date2019-02-22
LocationValdez
ObserverPeter biskind
AvalancheN

General Observations

Small natural wind slab avalanches..at 2800' RFS.

 
Date2019-02-15
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

Saw a large natural wind slab avalanche on Hippie Ridge.  Avalanche released at about 4000' and ran approximately 1500' . R2.5-D2.5, crown was about 150 meters wide.  What was notable about this slide was that it appears to have stepped down about 300' below the initial crown.  Step down was most likely to the persistent weak layer…

 
Date2019-01-30
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

Ski toured up North aspect of 33 mile today "RFS".  Found 40 cm's "16 inches" of settled snow from the most recent storm sitting on a rain crust up to 2500 feet.  Dug a pit at 3500' on a North aspect.  Found preserved 2-3mm buried surface hoar with 95cm's "3 feet" of new snow on top.  Got…

 
Date2019-01-27
LocationValdez
ObserverAndrew Roche
AvalancheN

General Observations

A small avalanche was observed adjacent to the snowmachine uptrack into Bro Bowl (Girls Mountain). The avalanche was on a South facing aspect, ~3000ft, crown ~12”, D:2/R1.5, and appeared to be snowmachine triggered.

 
Date2019-01-26
LocationValdez
ObserverMorgan Gantz
AvalancheN

General Observations

Toured behind the tsaina lodge, observed a large crown of at least a D2 size on a North East aspect slope in the distance. Observed a few other smaller slides on RFS, North aspect. Took a photo of the big one and will send along. 

 
Date2019-01-26
LocationValdez
ObserverWilly Fahey
AvalancheN

General Observations

Experienced a remotely triggered avalanche by snowmobile above Tonsina glacier, Dawn valley. There were many natural slides around the area.

 
Date2019-01-25
LocationValdez
ObserverPeter
AvalancheN

General Observations

Low in Loveland Basin, and also low in Catcher's Mitt (2800' and 2500'). Jan 25, 2019.Snowpit test results: ECTP8 (x3 separate tests), down 30cm at new-old snow interface. Storm slab sitting on buried facets. This weak layer is widespread from the port to at least mile 55. There is surface hoar and near surface facets that are…

 
Date2019-01-18
LocationValdez
ObserverRusty
AvalancheN

General Observations

Toured on Crudbusters this evening, found the following:-wind: calm to light-sky: clear, with a band of intermittent valley fog from approx 2100-2400 feet-surface hoar ranging from 2-8 mm from 2300 feet up on the established skin track.  we got as high as 3772 feet and it was still widespread.  Smaller SH and or near surface faceting was also…

 
Date2019-01-13
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

Skiing at 43 mile on a South aspect at 3500 feet found 3-4 inches of fresh snow.  The fresh snow was easily sluffing on slopes above 40 degrees and entraining the old snow and running a considerable distance.  The old snow that was being entrained consisted of near surface facets.  The fact that the snow was sluffing so…

 
Date2019-01-07
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

At 38 mile on South aspect found Surface Hoar developing from the highway 1600' up to 3500'. Above this it quickly disappeared.  Temp -30 F at highway, -5 at 4000 feet Clear and Calm.

 
Date2019-01-04
LocationValdez
ObserverKsobek
AvalancheN

General Observations

Couple small windslab naturals leeward of the most recent southerly storm. Also a bigger (d2+) slab avalanche on a south face at about 3500’, average 3’ crown on the south face just under little girls. Looks like it slid during the last storm down to an old rain crust. I think per usual the mid elevations are most sketch although conditions seem overall pretty…

 
Date2019-01-03
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

Skiing on hippie ridge today found that at mid elevations 2500-4000 feet the new snow had been redistributed by the wind .   Above 4000 feet there was less wind affect in the location we were skiing up to 5700 feet. On the bench below 4000 feet 3 skiers triggered shallow soft slabs about 6 inches…

 
Date2018-12-28
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

Dug a pit on Crudbusters at 4000' N aspect 35 degree slope. The temp was 21 F, Scattered clouds, and calm.  The Snowpack height was 250 cms at this location.  On shovel shear tests found 3 Q1 shears with sudden planar character at 50,65, and 90 cms down from the surface. There was also a Q2 with…

 
Date2018-12-26
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

Over the last few days I have noticed that there are Glide Cracks on NE Crudbuster, NW Crudbuster, NE Python and E Stone mountain.  All of these have had full depth releases with the exception of the one on Python.  The areas that slid are all very small in relation to the slope they were…

 
Date2018-12-23
LocationValdez
ObserverKaren
AvalancheN

General Observations

Cracked Ice arena. Calm winds. 5-12 degrees.good visibility.At 3000’ probed a crusty layer at 40 cm.20-30 cm powder up to 3500’. Wind affected snow above 3500’ with shallow wind crust forming on western facing slope.Observed a persistent slab release on western slope below cornice on RFS.Observed a 400’ glide crack on western facing slope above Cracked Ice…

 
Date2018-12-23
LocationValdez
ObserverKyle Sobek
AvalancheN

General Observations

12/21,12/22- North side of Rice Mountain & Squaw Creek had on average 6+' at 4000'. Windloading had occurred from the south during the last couple storms, affecting more of the Squaw Creek area. 4000-5000' had about 1.5 feet of super light powder on top of a 1 finger hard 2-6' thick layer that had a punchy base (facets) of 6-12'' of more sugary snow. Although during the last couple of weeks…

 
Date12/12/2018
LocationValdez
ObserverPeter Biskind
AvalancheN

General Observations

Snowpit south of gully 3 (Nicks) on broad north face. 2700' 25deg. Lightly snowing. 200cm. There is 30cm of new snow that skied well on top of older, stiffer snow. The highest rain crust is down 70cm (probably from Dec 7th). Below there are multiple layers with crust-facet combos and at the bottom is 20cm…

 
Date2018-12-05
LocationValdez
ObserverKaren
AvalancheN

General Observations

Noon to 2:00. Flat light. Calm winds. Southern ridge of Catchers Mitt. 0 Celsius. 4-8cm roller balls forming on SSE face of ridge. Top 10cm of snowpack was moist. At 2900' probed a bench on the NW face of the ridge. Snow 60cm deep. Probed through a uniform pack to a narrow ice crust at…

 
Date2018-12-03
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

The attached full profile was dug at a location that was not heavily loaded by S storm wind. This pit shows 15 CMS new snow, but some areas loaded by the wind were much deeper. 30-45cms~. These loaded areas were sensitive to triggers. Numerous size 1-2 natural avalanches were observed on a variety of aspects…

 
Date2018-12-02
LocationValdez
ObserverKyle Sobek
AvalancheN

General Observations

54 mile/North side of Rice Mountain- Low coverage overall, 1' of softer powder at 4000' with 2-3' base of firmer snow. No natural signs of instability. A good amount of wind loading from the from the south wind, some areas were not affected.

 
Date2018-12-02
LocationValdez
ObserverSarah Carter
AvalancheN

General Observations

Traveling up Loveland ridge noon to 3 pm. Overcast day with flat light. Winds and snowfall increasing throughout afternoon. Minimal snow accumulation observed. 8-10cm thick rain crust under varying depths of storm/wind slab. ECT in a north facing wind loaded slope resulted in ECTP23 Q1 sudden planar fracture 68cm down from surface on top of…

 
Date2018-12-01
LocationValdez
ObserverSarah Carter
AvalancheN

General Observations

We toured up the lower catchers mit area. We saw some fresh storm slabs approximately 15 cm deep sitting on the old rain crust. Mixed results in compression and ect test. They ranged from easy failures with Q1 planar shear quality to some progressive compressions. New snow ( approximately 2-4 inches), Moderate wind speeds increasing…

 
Date2018-12-01
LocationValdez
ObserverSarah Carter
AvalancheN

General Observations

We toured up the lower catchers mit area. We saw some fresh storm slabs approximately 15 cm deep sitting on the old rain crust. Mixed results in compression and ect test. They ranged from easy failures with Q1 planar shear quality to some progressive compressions. New snow ( approximately 2-4 inches), Moderate wind speeds increasing…

 
Date2018-11-29
LocationValdez
ObserverSarah Carter
AvalancheN

General Observations

Obscured sky. Lower Catcher Mitt above 3000': Report of 3-4" new snow over 30" base.

 
Date2018-11-30
LocationValdez
ObserverPWSC Avalanche Rec 1 Class
AvalancheN

General Observations

1-4pm clear, increasing cloud toward afternoon.14F, calm. Little Odyssey Snowpack depth varies due to past wind events ~40-105cm. 10cm powder on top of pencil plus rain crust with less dense settling snow below. Crust does fall off planar weakness below. One loose avalanche, size 1-2, in steep, south-southwest aspect. Other than, no significant activity observed.

 
Date2018-11-30
LocationValdez
ObserverGareth Brown
AvalancheN

General Observations

On Catchers Mit found a snowpack that was shallow at 3000-3500 feet 80 cms. The snow quickly became deeper with elevation 180 cms at 4000 feet and 270 cms at 5000 feet. On Loveland basin the previous day the numbers were very similar. The surface snow below 3500 feet consisted of a few inches of…