AdvisorySAAC04

02-27-05 Fish Creek Knob

Back from work in Haines and Skagway this week, we finally got out to check field conditions today. It is apparent that we had a moderate avalanche cycle with the thaw of the last few days. We noted a number of mostly small slabs in the Fish Creek area, plus a few larger slides on the urban paths that we did not have the time or light to record adequately yet.

Though our block tests indicated enough weakness to keep us off larger steeps, we triggered nothing but cinnamon rolls on our smaller test slopes, and it appears that the natural release cycle has ended or at least paused. All slabs observed were from the last few days, not today.

The light rain showers and warm wind today were allowing the snowpack to wet and warm gradually, keeping the rate of change within its apparent range of tolerance. It will probably take heavier rain or abrupt thaw for the avalanche cycle to resume.

We are busy preparing to go teach in Haines for the next 2 - 3 weeks, so will have to suspend our postings until late in the month, but we do hope to be able to check the urban paths tomorrow and post those observations before we go.

Rainbows were abundant today, with strong S wind pushing the clouds by and creating the North Douglas weather break for sunshine through the clouds even as showers passed by. No, it was not snowing up high, that's why they call them rainbows, not snowbows!

Bill Glude shears the Rutschblock on a second, hard jump on 40° at the 115 cm weak layer, RB5 Q2 (average shear quality). The AK Block went a little easier, on the first gentle jump, AK4 Q2 on the same layer. Montgomery Mahaffey photo. A deeper weak layer at 93 cm went on multiple jumps (#6) on both tests at Q3 (irregular shear). The pit face was melting so fast in the warm wind that we could not identify the weak layer in our profile.

Snow was deep, wet on top, and turnable but a bit sticky due to the wet surface layer. Smooth peanut butter powder, the type where each turn leaves a trail of chunks.