Detailed Observation

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 very touchy snowpack below 2000′.  Remote triggers were failing on 2 mm buried near surface facets 50-60 cms deep.  Above 2000′ signs of instability went away and snow structure gradually became better.  Above 3000′ fresh windslab was beginning to form on the lee side of terrain features and was found 4-6″ deep.  

Pit results at 4400′ north aspect produced, ECTN 15 down 25 cms at new snow old snow interface.  Snowpack was right side up in this location.  HS-400 cms+ “could not hit the ground with probe

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Weather Observations

Observed Avalanche Activity