Backcountry Skiing..Your Winter Window Into The Chugach.
Within the next week, a small patch of snow will melt at the base of Snowslide Gulch. Lasting nearly 2-1/2 years, this is the last dirty white remnant of the debris pile from the largest avalanches cycle ever seen in Valdez. The enormous amount of snow that slid off the mountains in late January of 2014 was a thrill for […]
Read more
(3-30-16/1800) AVALANCHE – Field observations in Thompson Pass indicate the rain line moved to 3000′ with wet, deepening snow as elevation increases.. With sun busting out on Thursday and little radiant cooling tonight due to southerly flow aloft, temps will rocket early tomorrow to the highest of the season on east aspects first, then around the compass rose to west as the […]
Read more
3-27-16/10am Confirming my previous discussion, the models and NWS forecast are aligned for a sustained and substantial weather event Monday through Wednesday.. Warm, tropical flow and rain will begin today and intensify over the next few days.. Up to 6″ of precip are likely.. Freeze level will rise to 4- 5000′.. Moderate rainfall is expected in Valdez and Thomspson Pass […]
Read more
..The persistent ridge in Canada has begun to move east and for the first time in months, northerly flow over the Valdez Chugach will cease..This will allow copious amounts of warm air, clouds and moisture to reach higher elevations.. Any sun-breaks will be short as an intense trough of moisture saturates the area on MON-TUES.. Forecast amounts for snow, where it snows for […]
Read more
SKI-Solo toured from DOT to Loveland Breaks under the Ridge.. Thigh went to knee at noon with my boot penetration indicative of settled storm snow based on my last report.. Density layer at the surface is healing which has resulted in FAIR skiing in the Thompson Pass Corridor.. Variable conditions exist, some breakable, some not.. Bring your Whippets.. Colder over night […]
Read more
Encountered poor ski condition in Schoolbus this morning despite sunny skies….Yesterday storm has left behind a punchy 1″ density layer at the surface that is not fun. With no expectation of finding better snow at only the highest elevations, I resorted to some digging for information and was able to get a full measurement of the snowpack now at 125-130 […]
Read more(revised March 19 7:30pm.)…Issued March 19, 9AM…A HIGH avalanche hazard is developing. Heavy snowfall with 25″ in Thompson Pass and 16″ in Valdez is pushing the tipping point…Heavy snow will continue into Sunday… Backcountry travel is discouraged…Road travelers should be aware of the potential for large avalanches in and around Thompson Pass and the potential for road closures… …This warning […]
Read more