December 12, 2018

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Heads up: #avalanche danger has increased due to new snow! Fortunately, it has so far accumulated without much wind. But, snow from last Saturday did get blown into potentially dangerous wind slabs prior to this week’s new snow. Those wind slabs may still be reactive, and are now hidden by the fresh blanket of pow. Keep in mind that we also still have an early season #snowpack with protruding ground hazards increasing the risk of injury and gear damage. An early season snowpack is also, generally, more prone to #avalanche. Make sure you thoroughly investigate snow and avalanche conditions if recreating in or around avalanche terrain! Snowpack information in the Western #Chugach is still very limited at this time. In general, more snow exists in the upper elevations and north of Anchorage in the Eagle River valleys. Were you dismayed by the lack of #snow, and absence of #winter conditions, in the greater #Anchorage area prior to the past week? Here’s evidence we’ve had much worse. This photo was taken on December 29, 2015 near the Echo Bend ice climbs. While the river may not be as frozen (we do still have two weeks to catch up), there is A LOT more snow – especially in the #alpine! Get stoked for an epic season in the Western Chugach! We’ve already got more alpine plaster than we’ve had at any point during the past few seasons! True Chugach goodness. PC @sam_inouye

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