Detailed Observation
Date | 2020-04-17 |
Location | Valdez |
Observer | Gareth Brown |
Avalanche | N |
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: No
Collapsing: No
Avalanches: 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 (could easily squeeze water out of a snowball), and the snowpack to be isothermal below 3000'. Between 3,000-4,500' the top 15-30 cms was wet, (difficult to squeeze water from a snowball). Above 4500' up to the summit ridge at 6200' the surface snow was moist (could easily form a snowball).