December 20, 2014

Weekend Avalanche Outlook

Observations Friday revealed a few potentially dangerous persistent weak layers within the snowpack that are exhibiting some reactivity, at least within snowpit tests.  These will likely be the most problematic in the upper elevations (above 3000′) on leeward aspects along ridges and near peaks.

If you find yourself in the upper elevations of Chugach State Park this weekend please use caution, especially in areas with deeper snow.  One of the persistent weak layers found Friday along the Peak 3-4 ridge, buried surface hoar, has been a problem region wide and was responsible for a full burial in the Turnagain Pass area Thursday.  You can learn more about that incident via the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center.

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