Detailed Observation

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 a few natural d2 avalanches on the drive up.  These were on south aspects of Three Pigs and Hippie Ridge.  Bottom two benches were protected from wind.  Above that snow surfaces were being stripped by moderate to strong wind and being deposited on lee aspects.   Saw just about every sign of instability that exists in areas where wind slabs were being deposited.  Wind slabs were 1 finger hardness and fairly shallow,  mostly in the 6-12 inch range.   These were reactive to triggers and were failing on  facets.  In a snowpit at 3500′ south aspect found a snowpack depth of 235cms / ~8 feet “wind loaded location” .  Pit results showed fresh wind slabs failing 40 cms down ECTN22 and ECTP21 ( test repeated twice).  

1st photo: windslab release on test slope

2nd photo: Wind lip failure remotely triggered following large collapse

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Weather Observations

Observed Avalanche Activity