Observations

Turnagain Arm: Falls Creek

Skied a couple of couloirs in the Falls Creek drainage. Hit snow at about 2,000′, went to Falls Lake couloir first. Mildly-concerning dust-on-thick-crust-on-softer-powder in the apron, but eventually giving way to nice consistent wind-packed powder near the top. Lots of spindrift and downslope gusts throughout the ascent. No cracking, whoomphing, etc, despite the wind. Handpits on the ascent revealed the crust persisted about 4-6″ deep.

Wrapped around the corner to have a look at the skinny one. Similar firm approach conditions, trending to 4″ powder on windboard/melt-freeziness below, to nice chalky powder once in the gut. Pockets of sun warmed the snow quickly, but fortunately enough clouds hung around to keep things from warming significantly.

No avalanches observed, just the typical rollerball fest expectant of a late-afternoon in mid-April. Just a real nice day to be in the hills with a good friend.

~Mike Ausman