Observation: NWAC Forecaster

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Weather Summary

Light but cold breeze at ridgetop into mid afternoon then becoming calm.

Avalanche Observation Comments:

2 large (+D2) slab avalanches in very steep alpine terrain above the Lower Curtis Glacier at 6500' and 7000' on west and northwest aspects. Naturals - probably triggered by sluffing from cliffs above. Not sure of the exact timing, but the crowns looked fresh enough to be related to wind loading the past few days.

Snowpack Observations

All varieties of wind affected snow NTL and ATL at ridgeline and lower down in drainages as well. Stiff, cold wind slabs (mostly on W and S aspects) were found to be mostly unreactive - 10-30cm in depth. Where they would crack up and release they were very small with no propagation beyond skis. Southerly slopes warmed slightly but not enough to fully soften previously formed sun crust in observed terrain. Some steeper solars have a thick crust but often it was thin and soft. 50-100cm of right side up snow over MLK crust. Small near-surface facets were found in shaded, wind sheltered terrain.