Detailed Observation
Date | 2021-01-01 |
Location | Valdez |
Observer | Gareth Brown |
Avalanche | N |
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 last large snowfall event 12/23.
Found stable snow conditions throughout the day skiing slopes up to 45° without signs of instability. NW ramps had pockets of thin windslab (1-2inches) mixed with powder. Thin windslabs were not reactive. The most notable thing we found was widespread surface hoar up to 1 cm on the front face of Crud from 2500′ to ridgeline. Photos of Surface hoar 4000′ N aspect and Natural D3 avalanche described above.