Western Chugach, Chugach State Park, Front Range, Rabbit Creek

Quick after work jaunt to assess wind damage in the most popular backcountry riding area of the Front Range.  Climbed up Peak 3 and took the ridge to Peak 4.5.  Ski descent from the top of Peak 4.5.

Peak 3 has been severely wind-affected and the riding quality is highly variable (breakable windboard, supportable windboard, slide-for-life, anti-tracks, sastrugi).  Conditions improve further back along the ridge, as the terrain becomes more sheltered from NW wind.  Peak 4.5 provided smooth and supportable windboard on the upper face, transitioning to wind-buffed and pleasantly carve-able powder in the lower gully.

While yesterday’s strong, but localized, NW winds ravaged and severely wind-damaged many exposed upper elevation areas of the park; there’s still a lot of sheltered terrain with decent riding conditions.

The wind event appeared worse than it was from town, given how much very light and low-density loose snow was available for transport.  The snow was so light, it does not seem to have significantly stressed the persistent slab problem in the Front Range and fresh wind slabs seem to be bonding rapidly.

No recent avalanches were observed in the Rabbit Creek or Powerline valleys.  Visibility was great and the extended ridge traverse provided the opportunity to observe any naturals had they occurred.