Western Chugach, Chugach State Park, Rabbit Creek, Peak 3-4.5

Much less natural avalanche activity from last week’s (2/17-20) snow and wind events observed in the Front Range (FRange – see maps of Chugach State Park here) than areas of Chugach State Park to the north like South Fork Eagle River (SoFo).  This is further evidence that the FRange snowpack is generally more stable than areas to the north like SoFo where the snowpack is typically less wind-hammered (i.e. wind-packed and rounded) and more heavily faceted.

Above ~3500′ the FRange snowpack is significantly wind-affected.  Below that, there’s generally a few inches of very nice powder on top of smooth and supportable wind-packed snow.  The skiing below ~3500′ is great, above it is variable and more challenging – but not that bad for the Western Chugach.  Ski crampons are recommended for skinning above 3500′.

Wind-loaded snow on solar aspects in the upper elevations (3500’+) along the Peak 3-4.5 ridge generally seems to be bonding and stabilizing, but we were still getting shooting cracks and triggered a few D1 wind slabs while skinning and skiing.

Shooting cracks and wind slab just beyond (SE of) Peak 3:

Shooting cracks and wind slab near Peak 4.5:

Peak 4.5 sunset: