Observations – South Fork Eagle River – North Bowl area
Obvious signs of instability:
- Significant natural avalanche activity earlier in the week
- Significant wind loading earlier in the week
Weather:
- Partly cloudy skies, temps in the upper teens, light north wind
Surface conditions:
- Snow coverage is very inconsistent and a supportable snowpack for riding is limited to wind deposited areas
Discussion:
Natural wind slab avalanche in the 3 Bowls area off Hiland Road (N-D2-R2):
Condition of the South Fork trail on the approach:
Wind loaded pocket above Hunter Pass (sight of a human triggered avalanche and partial burial about a year ago):
Fairly widespread surface hoar development, except in the most wind exposed areas:
Natural wind slab avalanche (HS-N-D2-R2) at the top of North Bowl skier’s right side (check out the December 11, 2013 observation for some deja vu):
Cornice crevasse glide crack at the top of North Bowl just above the crown of the aforementioned North Bowl avalanche (the pole is 130cm):
Snowpack profiled and assessed on the skier’s left flank of the natural avalanche (the layer of well-developed depth hoar with heavy wind slab on top behaved poorly in snowpit tests):
North Bowl view up and down:
